New Programs and Initiatives

By Sharon Kalbfleisch

Career Development Practitioner Program

A new, seamless career development program is being developed as part of an articulation agreement between Conestoga College, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. The program includes a creative and flexible balance between theory and practice and will build on Conestoga’s existing post-degree, post-diploma Career Development Practitioner Program and the three universities’ undergraduate degrees. The intent of the program is to provide excellent preparation for career development practitioners for their role in developing a nation of lifelong learners able to compete in a global marketplace.

This collaboration agreement permits cost- and time-efficient education. University students will be able to concurrently complete a bachelor of arts (honours or general) degree and a college certificate on a full- or part-time basis. This would represent a minimum reduction of one academic term for a full-time student. Current practitioners with some training and experience in career development could enter the college’s prior learning assessment process to reduce further the time required.

A unique feature of this arrangement is that the curriculum will be offered both on campuses of the participating institutions and through learner-centred distance education. As a result, access will be enhanced for professionals working in the field, undergraduates with specialized training, university graduates who wish to gain specific qualifications, people in geographically remote areas and other interested participants. As well, students will be able to choose the university from which they’ll receive their undergraduate degrees. The initiative will meet the needs of adult learners in terms of time, place and pace of learning.

For more information, visit their site or contact:

Sharon Kalbfleisch

Conestoga College of Applied Arts and Technology

tel: (519) 748-5220 ext. 339

fax: (519) 748-3505

e-mail: skalbfle@conestogac.on.ca