New Programs and Initiatives

New Certificate Program in Nova Scotia! Distance/ Online Services – Workplace Skills Initiative

Submitted by Susanna Burns

The field of career development is evolving and expanding today as never before. The demands of a rapidly changing economy make it imperative for practitioners to keep pace with new models for the practice of career development.

Over the last two years, a group of career development practitioners have been working with adult and continuing educators at Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education, in Halifax, to design a new professional certificate program.

The Career Practitioner Certificate (CPC): The result of this collaboration is the Career Practitioner Certificate program scheduled to begin in 2009. The CPC is an attempt to bring together may of the short courses, previously offered in the province, into a program which will provide graduates with a recognized credential that addresses the core competencies for career development practitioners as set out in the Canadian Standards and Guidelines.

The program is designed to meet the need for both new and experienced practitioners to gain a credential while deepening their knowledge, skill and confidence in delivering and managing effective employment services for a wide range of clients. This innovative, practical, 110- hour program will help service providers survive the changing landscape of career development.

Design and Delivery: The CPC program is offered by blended delivery: inclass sessions are held one weekend per month (sometimes includes Friday), and online sessions run over the course of four to six weeks. The program includes five core modules, two electives and a written project. The core modules are:

• Introduction to Employment Services (online)
• Communication (classroom)v
• Work Search Skills (classroom)
• Labour Market Information (LMI) (online)
• Assessing Client Employability Needs and Case Management (classroom)

The two required electives may be selected from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, those offered by the College of Continuing Education.

The written project will include research and practice with an emphasis on application and competency development.

Adult Learning Model: Building on the principles of adult learning and teaching the Career Practitioner Certificate program will combine theory and practice through highly interactive, dynamic experience- based classes and online forums. Participants will find that they learn as much from each other as from the highly skilled instructors. The Instructors bring a wide range of career development experience and a strong commitment to teaching and to expanding opportunities for professional development in the field.

Who will benefit? This program will be of benefit to individuals working in the broad field of career development in such roles as:

• career/employment service providers
• career educators
• career coaches
• career development practitioners
• career management practitioners
• human resource professionals

It will also be of interest to people wanting to enter the field. To learn more about this exciting new venture, visit: www.dal.ca/cce (look under Continuing Management Education), or give us a call at (902) 494-2375.

Susanna Burns is the Program Director, Certificate in Adult Education, Dalhousie University, College of Continuing Education.

Internship in LGBT Counselling

Submitted by Laurie Chesley

Over a decade ago, Family Service Toronto underwent a process of organizational readiness in preparation for the integration of David Kelley Services (DKS), then known as the Toronto Counselling Centre for Lesbians and Gays (TCCLG).

It was a process of self-assessment to undertake changes in all aspects of governing the agency, delivering programs and training staff and volunteers. From that process come some of our most important learnings which inform how we currently carry out our mission.

Now, thanks to a grant of $150,000 from The Counselling Foundation of Canada to support three interns and $45,000 from CERIC to support partner agencies, we will be sharing our expertise in providing LGBT services with organizations in smaller and rural settings across Canada who need to introduce or enhance programming for LGBT people in their community.

In September, Family Service Toronto will introduce the Internship in LGBT Counselling Services, hosting three consecutive one-year internships in LGBT counselling with DKS in order to make the following impact:

• Provide highly specialized training to three new MSW graduates who want to serve clients in LGBT communities
• Prepare three corresponding partner agencies to develop LGBT counselling services in their community
• Provide learning seminars of interest to organizations who want to develop skills and competencies required to serve LGBT clients

Please see www.familyservicetoronto.org for further information.

Laurie Chesley, M.S.W., R.S.W. Manager, David Kelley, LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS Counselling, Family Service Toronto, 355 Church St., Toronto, ON M5B 1Z8. Phone (416) 595-0307 ext 272.