2024

Unlocking the Potential of Career Development during Canada Career Month

November 1, 2024By

This Canada Career Month, CERIC has partnered with Canadian and US partners to shine a spotlight on the impact of career development. Discover exciting new ways to advance your advocacy work:

  • Explore the Beyond Decent Work Playbook
  • Sign an open letter to advocate for smoother Canadian workforce transitions
  • Join a free virtual event on Advocacy in Action
Beyond Decent Work Playbook: A Resource for Career Development Advocacy

CERIC, in collaboration with sector leaders from across the country, has released the Beyond Decent Work Playbook, a practical tool designed to facilitate advocacy work in career development. This resource includes:

  • Key messages tailored for policymakers, businesses, educators, and the public to integrate into awareness and advocacy initiatives
  • A detailed guide for developing an advocacy communications plan
  • Strategies for effectively engaging in advocacy activities

Organizations are encouraged to utilize the Beyond Decent Work Playbook to strengthen their advocacy efforts during Canada Career Month and beyond.

An Open Letter Advocating for Improved Workforce Transitions

CERIC, in partnership with Challenge Factory and the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), has co-authored an open letter addressing the need for lifelong career development to ensure generational fairness, a sustainable workforce, and economic prosperity for Canadians.

Drawing from the Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent report, the letter urges policy and industry leaders to:

  • Move away from the “fail-first” approach in career and employment services
  • Utilize career development professionals’ expertise to enhance career readiness and literacy
  • Equip businesses with the necessary tools to manage shifting labour markets effectively

The career development community is invited to endorse this letter and join the collective call to action.

Advocacy in Action: A Virtual Event Focused on Career Development

On November 13, CERIC (Canada), the National Career Development Association (United States), and Canadian Career Development Foundation (Canada) will host Advocacy in Action: Amplifying Career Development in a Changing World, a free virtual event at 12:00 pm ET. This panel discussion will highlight the significant role of career development professionals in today’s evolving workforce landscape. Key topics will include:

  • National and international efforts to increase recognition for career development work
  • The growing importance of career development amid rapid changes in the world of work
  • Ways to become actively involved in advocacy for career development

Professionals interested in career development advocacy are encouraged to register.

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2024

CERIC, CCDF and NCDA to Host Free Virtual Advocacy Event for North America Career Week 2024

October 3, 2024By

Regional North American career development organizations CERIC (Canada), the Canadian Career Development Foundation (Canada) and the National Career Development Association (United States) are convening yet again in 2024 for a North America Career Week celebration called Advocacy in Action: Amplifying Career Development in a Changing World. The virtual event will take place on November 13, 2024 at 12:00pm Eastern Time.

The regional partners are hosting a free virtual event to celebrate the vital role of career development professionals in shaping the future of work. The collaboration brings together leading organizations from across North America and beyond to highlight current advocacy efforts and the importance of career development in today’s rapidly changing world.

The event aims to affirm and celebrate the contributions of career development professionals, offering hope and positivity amidst the challenges faced. Panellists will provide insights into emerging trends and issues such as AI, mental health, and the need for decent jobs, while empowering attendees with ideas and opportunities to advocate for the future of work.  This will include a focus on how you can become part of these initiatives.

Moderator:

  • Dr. Candy Ho – Dr. Candy Ho is an international award-winning career development educator and scholar whose expertise is recognized globally through keynotes, consulting, and other engagements. Her insights have been featured in prestigious media outlets including BNN Bloomberg, The Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Canadian Business, National Post and CTV News. Originally from Hong Kong, she currently serves as Chancellor’s Research Chair at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), while also teaching in KPU’s Educational Studies department and in Douglas College’s Career Development Practitioner Program. Candy is Past Chair of CERIC, a Canadian charitable organization that advances education and research in career counselling and career development, in order to increase the economic and social well-being of Canadians.

Panellists:

  • Keka DasGupta – Keka believes in moving people from helpless to helpful through a powerful, free currency called: gratitude. As a 20-year award-winning PR/marketing veteran, Keka has dedicated her entire working life to studying the emotional undercurrents that connect people to people, and people to brands. This mom-of-two has worked with such globally recognized brands as: IKEA, Nike, Disney, American Express and many other Fortune 500s. Her clients have also included various schools and boards of education. Today, Keka heads up multiple entrepreneurial ventures. She has founded the platform called the “Art of Life-ing,” and she runs Gratitude workshops across North America for both students and corporate audiences. She is also the Vice Chair of CERIC’s Board of Directors, helping the national charity to advance career development in Canada through education, research and advocacy.
  • Sareena Hopkins – Sareena Hopkins is the Executive Director of the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), Sareena works in Canada and internationally to strengthen the reach and impact of career development. With her team at CCDF, she moves from ideas to action in areas of public policy, research and development, capacity building and advocacy. Sareena has been instrumental in a wide range of strategic leadership initiatives in Canada and internationally, including the development of our field’s Competency Framework, Code of Ethics, and approach to national certification. She is Chair of the International Centre for Career Development and Public Policy and is an active member of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers’ National Advisory Panel on Labour Market Information. In 2014, Sareena was awarded the International Gold Medal for Leadership in Career Development. Sareena lives, works and plays (most of the time!) in Ottawa with her partner and a poorly behaved, but extremely sweet cat.
  • Marty Apodaca – Marty Apodaca is a Senior Counselor at the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) Student Health and Counseling where he assists his clients in exploring the intersections of career and mental health. Marty is the President of NCDA (Oct. 1) and is an active board member and former president of the NMCDA. He has publications in the Career Development Quarterly, Career Planning and Adult Development Network, Career Convergence and has been published in the Journal of Individual Psychology, Teaching and Supervision in Counseling and ACA’s VISTAS web magazine. Marty is a Professional Clinical Counselor, Certified Career Counselor and National Certified Counselor. At UNM, Marty has received the People Appreciate Wonderful Staff Award and was recognized as an American Indian Student Services Campus Partner.
  • Bella Doswell – Bella Doswell is an award-winning, Certified (Ontario, Canada) and Registered (UK) Career Development Professional, Bella brings 18 years’ experience in helping clients confidently market their skills and talents to employers. With extensive training in psychology, mental health counselling, occupational testing, HR process and facilitation, she holds a subject-specific master’s degree in Career Development and Coaching Studies from the University of Warwick. She has international career coaching experience working in the UK, the UAE and since 2012, for clients in Canada. Currently based in the UK, she is working remotely for a Canadian HR consultancy in Toronto, providing outplacement services. Bella is the co-architect of the global #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign, which reached 1.6 million hits in 2024. A passionate advocate for CDPs and vociferous global networker, you can also find her writing about CDP advocacy issues in CDP Thought For The Week, posted every Monday on LinkedIn.
  • Katherine Jennick – Katherine Jennick is a UK-based Career Development Professional, Mentor and Educator, who is passionate about using a strength-based approach to help people realise how amazing they are. In 2019, she developed and founded What’s your strength?®  which started as a pack of cards to empower teenagers. It has evolved into a series of award-winning resources for young people, adults and individuals with additional needs. As well as the abundance of strength-based resources, Katherine also offers 1:1 career guidance for young people and runs collaborative creative workshops for a variety of different audiences. Her career is studded with accolades:  Co-architect of the #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs campaign celebrating the work of CDPs ; Finalist for Business and Product Innovation Award at FSB Small Business Awards 2023; Finalist for Sole Trader Award at The Small Awards 2022 ; Winner at the Start Up Awards National Series 2022 ; Developer of the interactive ‘Skills Suitcase’ for National Careers Week.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn and get involved. Free pre-registration is required on the NCDA website. You will be prompted to create an account on NCDA’s website in order to register for the event. This is a free account and you do not need to be an NCDA member to register.

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2024

Explore the 100+ sessions: Program now available for hybrid Cannexus25 conference

September 25, 2024By

The Cannexus25 hybrid program has now been released for both the virtual edition and Ottawa-based in-person version of Canada’s largest Career Development Conference, taking place Jan. 27-29, 2025. The program includes more than 100 sessions to help you adapt to a new era of career development.

Cannexus brings together professionals across the career and workforce development ecosystem to explore research, policy and practice. The Cannexus25 program emphasizes the role of career development in changing individual lives and building a stronger future for Canada. Last year, our in-person conference drew more than 1,000 delegates and our virtual conferences nearly 1,000.

Incredible keynotes will inspire delegates: cultural diversity expert Tina Varughese, Walden University professor Dr. Kevin Glavin and award-winning Indigenous author Niigaan Sinclair. Featuring top researchers, practitioners and thought leaders from across Canada and around the world (Ed Hidalgo, Wendy Cukier, Candy Ho, Mark Franklin, Sareena Hopkins, Lisa Taylor, Graham Donald, JP Michel, Dave Redekopp, Tricia Berry, Roberta Borgen (Neault), Trina Maher, Sonny Wong, Sarah Delicate, Deirdre Pickerell, Rich Feller and so many more).

Here is just a sampling of the sessions on offer:

  • Building Capacity in SMEs to Hire Immigrants
  • How to Turn Interview ‘Landmines’ into Opportunities
  • Climate-informed Career Development, Adaptation, Mitigation and Mental Health
  • Moving Forward on Social and Emotional Skills Development
  • Labour Market Trends CDPs Need to Know
  • Neuroinclusive Mentorship for Career Success
  • Canada’s New Training Platform: Upskilling Workers and Employers
  • Decolonizing Career Development: Indigenous Approaches to Employment Services
  • A Classroom-based Intervention to Raise Student Awareness of Transferable Skills
  • Implementing a Career Advising Program in the Workplace
  • Triple Your Client Impact Through ChatGPT and AI Tools
  • Canadian Students’ Perspectives on Careers & Career Development: 2025

Hybrid sessions act as bridges between the in-person and virtual conference, creating a shared Cannexus experience. In-person attendees also receive access to the virtual platform at the end of the conference. Both in-person and virtual attendees will have access to these recordings for three months.

Delegates can save by registering by the Early Bird deadline of Friday, Nov. 8. The cost during Early Bird is $365 for the virtual and $640 for the in-person conference. Members of groups of 5 or more save a further 20% off Early Bird rates as do members of 39 supporting organizations.

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2024

CERIC welcomes Manitoba’s Meghan Lavallee as new Board Chair

September 20, 2024By

CERIC is pleased to announce Meghan Lavallee as the new Chair of its Board of Directors for a two-year term. Lavallee, also the incoming Executive Director of Apprenticeship Manitoba, will lead the Board in delivering on CERIC’s mission to advance career development in Canada. A national charitable organization, CERIC has two strategic mandates: promoting career development as a priority for the public good, and building career development knowledge, mindsets and competencies.  

For the past six years, Lavallee has worked with the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, most recently as the Director of Career and Student Engagement. She believes that we all have a role within the educational ecosystem to create successful career pathways and equitable access to further education, training and/or employment for all. Her passion for experiential learning and student success started as a student and staff member in the post-secondary sector. From there, she turned her love of student development to leadership roles with Career Trek, a not-for-profit that creates opportunities to catapult young Manitobans to career and education success.  

Reflecting a cross-section of diverse career development leaders from across Canada, the full 2024/2025 CERIC Board of Directors includes:  

  • Meghan Lavallee, Executive Director, Apprenticeship Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB (Chair) 
  • Keka DasGupta, Precision Marketing Group Inc, Toronto, ON (Vice-chair)   
  • Candy Ho, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC (Past Chair)   
  • Sue Watts, Employment + Education Centre (EEC), Brockville, ON (Secretary/Treasurer)   
  • Tony Botelho, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC   
  • Dinuka Gunaratne, Northeastern University, Vancouver, BC  
  • Darlene Hnatchuk, McGill University, Montreal, QC   
  • Holly Linkert, Eastwood Collegiate Institute Waterloo Region District School Board, Kitchener, ON 
  • Magdalena Mot, Capilano University, North Vancouver, BC 
  • André Raymond, Laval University, Quebec City, QC 
  • Valérie Roy, AXTRA, l’Alliance des centres-conseils en emploi, Montreal, QC 
  • Donald G. Lawson, The Counselling Foundation of Canada, Toronto, ON (Honorary Director – Ex-officio)   
  • Riz Ibrahim, The Counselling Foundation of Canada, Toronto, ON (Executive Officer – Ex-officio)   

Members of CERIC’s three Advisory Committees – Practical & Academic Research; Content & Learning; and Advocacy & Community Engagement – have also been appointed by the Board for the next year. Members of these committees play an important role in shaping CERIC’s projects, programs and publications.  

CERIC is a charitable organization that advances education, research and advocacy in career counselling and development, in order to increase the economic and social well-being of people in Canada. We fund projects to develop innovative resources that build the knowledge and skills of diverse career and employment professionals. CERIC also annually hosts Cannexus, Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference, publishes the country’s only peer-reviewed journal, Canadian Journal of Career Development, and runs the CareerWise / OrientAction websites, providing the top career development news and views.  

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2024

Fall CJCD largest yet; includes focus on young Canadians, synchronicity learning, employer branding

September 13, 2024By

The Fall 2024 edition of the Canadian Journal of Career Development (CJCD) marks its largest to date and the first under new Editor Jennifer Browne. The issue starts with a poignant editorial honouring the journal’s Founding Editor Rob Shea, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. Inside this edition of the journal are articles from across Canada and beyond, including Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Topics focus on youth, young adults, employers, employees, career development theory and career within today’s context.

Articles

Academic book reviews

CJCD is a peer-reviewed publication of multi-sectoral career-related academic research and best practices from Canada and around the world. Submissions are open to articles that are Canadian and international in scope and deal with career development in its broadest sense. In addition to peer-reviewed Articles on completed research from faculty and graduate students, publication categories also include Research-In-Motion, Graduate Student Research Briefs, Practitioners & Community Best Practices and Book Reviews.

The journal is a partnership between CERIC and Memorial University of Newfoundland with the support of The Counselling Foundation of Canada as well as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. CJCD continues to publish twice a year in a digital format. It is free to subscribe and all issues of the open-access journal dating back to 2002 are available online.

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2024

Announcing Fall Webinars: Empower Youth, Culturally Integrated Storytelling, Intersectional Approach and More!

August 15, 2024By

CERIC is thrilled to introduce a compelling series of learning opportunities this fall aimed at empowering career professionals, educators and counsellors with innovative insights and actionable strategies. Join us and elevate your practice, covering topics from diverse clients, youth and BIPOC-D empowerment, and much more!

Equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. This free webinar series sponsored by RBC Future Launch delves into practical strategies and insights for career practitioners, focusing on how to prepare youth for an evolving job market. Enhance your practice by learning innovative approaches to guide the next generation in their career journeys.

Explore how culturally integrated storytelling can be a powerful tool for career practitioners. This webinar series, in partnership with the Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training (ASPECT), provides practical techniques for helping clients navigate life transitions by recognizing and incorporating their cultural narratives. Enhance your practice by learning to use storytelling to empower and connect with diverse clients.

Recognizing and understanding diversity is important for career and employment professionals, particularly when considering those within the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities who experience disability (BIPOC-D). This 6-week facilitated online certificate program has been developed by the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) in partnership with CERIC and will open two new cohorts in 2024, starting on September 16 and November 4, 2024. Limited spots are available.

We invite career practitioners to shape the future of professional development by submitting their webinar proposals for CERIC’s 2025 learning calendar. Our new submission form now integrates CERIC’s key areas of interest, making it easier than ever to align your ideas with our mission. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your expertise and contribute to the evolving landscape of career education. Consult the Audience Overview and Areas of Interest and submit your proposal.

Paid webinars will be recorded and individual certificates of attendance will be provided to all registered participants who attend the webinars live.

CERIC partners with associations and organizations across Canada and beyond to present webinars that offer affordable professional development. Previously, CERIC has also worked with the Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training BC, BC Career Development Association, Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers, Canadian Association for Supported Employment, Career Development Association of Alberta, Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, Career Professionals of Canada, Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada, Experiential and Work-Integrated Learning Ontario, First Work, Labour Market Information Council, New Brunswick Career Development Association, Nova Scotia Career Development Association, Ontario Association of Career Management, Ontario School Counsellors’ Association, Association Québécoise des professionnels du développement de carrière, Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d’orientation du Québec, Career Development Association of New Zealand and the US-based National Career Development Association.

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july

CERIC expands eligibility for graduate program; now open to part-time students

August 1, 2024By

CERIC is pleased to announce a significant enhancement to its long-running Graduate Student Engagement Program, expanding eligibility to include part-time students. This change reflects our commitment to providing inclusive opportunities for career development excellence. 

Since its inception, CERIC’s Graduate Student Engagement Program has been instrumental in equipping students with essential skills to excel in the field of career development. By extending eligibility to part-time students, CERIC ensures that a broader range of individuals can benefit from this exceptional opportunity. By accommodating the needs of part-time students, we are addressing the diverse circumstances of those balancing studies with other responsibilities. 

GSEP is designed to empower master’s and PhD students with the expertise required to succeed in their graduate studies and careers while positively impacting the field. Participants can immerse themselves in interactive learning experiences, gain valuable insights from experts, researchers, practicians in the field and build a robust network of like-minded peers and professionals through a dynamic and comprehensive package of opportunities. 

Open to graduate students enrolled in a Canadian university seeking to advance their careers in career development or related, GSEP offers unique opportunities: 

Enrollment for the Graduate Student Engagement Program is now open. Secure your spot and embark on a transformative journey in career development excellence before November 1, 2024. Visit the GSEP page for more information and application details. 

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2024

Who inspires you? Nominate them for the Wileman Award

July 24, 2024By

The Call for Nominations for CERIC’s Etta St. John Wileman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Career Development is now open. This is your opportunity to recognize and celebrate the trailblazers who are making significant contributions to the field of career development. 

Do you know someone who has: 

  • Made an impact through outstanding service, community engagement, advocacy or education? 
  • Inspired and mentored colleagues, students or clients? 
  • Advocated for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace? 
  • Demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to enhancing the field of career development? 

This award is more than just a recognition—it’s a celebration of the outstanding achievement within the career development profession. Past recipients have recently included Trina Maher and Lynne Bezanson with the Wileman Award honouring their remarkable contributions. 

It was announced earlier this year that CERIC’s flagship award was evolving to become more inclusive and accessible. The changes were to ensure the award honours those who are making a significant impact within the wide-ranging field of career development, regardless of role or position within an organization. 

The award is given in the name of Etta St. John Wileman. In the early 20th century, Wileman was a champion and crusader of career, work and workplace development in Canada.  

Don’t miss this chance to highlight the incredible work of your peers. By nominating someone, you help us recognize and uplift the voices and efforts of those dedicated to advancing career development in Canada. Submit your nomination by September 20, 2024.

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2024

Registration now open for Cannexus25, Canada’s Career Development Conference

July 17, 2024By

Cannexus25, Canada’s largest bilingual career development conference, is now open for registration with Super Saver rates available until Sept. 6. The Cannexus25 conference will take place from January 27-29, 2025, both virtually and in Ottawa, Canada. Under the theme “Together We Lead: Adapting to a New Era @ Cannexus25,” this event promises to bring leaders and delegates together to successfully navigate the evolving landscape of career development, whether in-person or virtual. Almost 2,000 professionals attended the last hybrid Cannexus. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an accessible, content-rich, and value-packed experience.

As a delegate, you can choose to “Experience Cannexus Your Way.” The virtual and in-person portions have largely separate programs but shared keynotes and main stage sessions for all delegates to interact. In both experiences, you can expect an impactful gathering where you will explore innovative approaches in career and workforce development, and connect with peers from across Canada and around the world. 

Super Saver rates for the virtual conference start at $320 with special $50 rates for students. The in-person rates start at $590. Members of supporting organizations receive 20% off either virtual or in-person registration. The 20% discount is also available for groups of 5 or more.  All delegates get access to the virtual recordings after the conference for three months. 

This year, delegates can choose to attend a highly-anticipated pre-conference workshop in Ottawa to enrich their conference experience. Career Counselling the Whole Person – Empathy, Strength, Creativity and Co-Construction of Career-Focused Solutions will be held on Sunday, January 26. Held by award-winning psychotherapist Sonny Wong, delegates will learn how to conduct effective career-focused counselling sessions.

The Cannexus25 schedule teases plenty of highlights for delegates to discover, with the full program to be posted by Sept. 25. Tina Varughese, Canada’s cross-cultural communication and diversity expert, was announced as Cannexus25’s first keynote at the launch of registration. Varughese’s interactive keynote, The Human Side of Unconscious Bias, promises to entertain while inspiring attendees to think, behave, act and communicate with intention. Delegates can also look forward to these conference highlights:

  • An expanded national gathering of Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program holders coming together for open discussion and sharing of wise practices
  • Results of the next CERIC Survey of Career Service Professionals, which will examine the current state of the field across Canada, with a special section on the impact of AI
  • A special “Military-connected” stream focused on supporting veterans and their families transitioning from military to civilian employment or on to further education

In addition to these new features, Cannexus is bringing back the powerful Indigenous Blanket Exercise as part of the program, which explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Bursaries are available to support career development professionals in attending the virtual portion of Cannexus. The Marilyn Van Norman Bursary will be awarded to 13 community-based career development or employment practitioners, one from each province and territory. The Young Professionals Bursary will go to 12 individuals aged 30 or younger and engaged with career development or employment work. Individuals from equity-deserving groups are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is September 30, 2024. 

Additional information is available on: 

  • Discounted hotels near the Shaw Centre where Cannexus is hosted 
  • Reduced fares to travel by plane or train
  • Events and activities to enjoy in Ottawa 
  • Frequently asked questions about the hybrid conference
  • Opportunities to become a Cannexus partner or exhibitor (note last year’s in-person Exhibitor Showcase sold out) 
  • Testimonials from past attendees about the conference 

Cannexus is presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada and a broad network of partners. For more information on the conference and to register, visit  cannexus.ceric.ca. 

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