CANNEXUS 2009, hosted in Toronto on April 6 – 8 was an overwhelming success! Thank you to all the delegates, session presenters and exhibitors for making this, our 3rd national conference, a success. Thanks also to our Sponsors as well as the many Partnering and Supporting Organizations.
FREE SPONSORED WEBINAR SERIES
 Presenters
The three groups of panelists will be announced by RBC Future Launch soon.
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| This webinar series is generously sponsored by RBC Future Launch and offered free of charge for all participants. Learn more about RBC Future Launch and its current work. |
French subtitles are available on the recordings of this webinar series.
The future of work is changing. Youth are motivated and embrace lifelong learning as a key to their success – but they still need support.
Join us for this FREE webinar series from RBC Future Launch to hear from three different valuable groups of panellists composed of researchers, youth-serving organizations and social enterprises discussing resources focused on supporting Canadian youth with skill development, practical work experiences, networking and mentorship supports.
This 3-part webinar series will cover a range of engaging topics, from scholarships to post-secondary education, to practical tools for youth seeking job experiences and skill development opportunities. Participants will also get the chance to gain insights from research on the labour market and further understand the outcomes for youth participating in career development programming.
Throughout the series, career practitioners and educators will get the chance to engage with subject matter experts and sector leaders and get actionable insights on programs and initiatives that have made a significant impact on youth. Participants will be exposed to a diversity of free programs and resources to add to their tooldkit. By the end of the series, career development practitioners – especially those working with youth aged 15-29 – will leave with practical knowledge, tools and resources they can apply and share in their work with their young clients.
In this webinar researchers from the Youth & Innovation Project at the University of Waterloo will share the results of the RBC Young People & Economic Inclusion Longitudinal Study. A panel of youth will respond to the findings of the study.
In this webinar, RBC will share the findings of its recently published thought leadership report Untapped Potential: Opening Doors to Opportunity Through Scholarships. You will also learn about the RBC Future Launch suite of scholarships that support access to post–secondary education for youth who remain underrepresented in colleges and universities.
In this webinar, participants will learn about free online programs and resources offered through RBC Future Launch from RBC partner organizations in the career development ecosystem.
CERIC webinars are hosted on Zoom. Learn about it in our FAQ.
Youth deserve a better chance! RBC Future Launch is a catalyst for change bringing people together to co-create solutions so young people are better prepared for the future of work. With that in mind, RBC has made a commitment to youth and to Canada’s future. Going beyond financial investment, RBC is engaging the public and private sectors to further understand the issue and make a significant impact on the lives of young Canadians.
Access hundreds of programs, tools and resources designed by RBC’s partners to help youth launch their career.
PAID WEBINAR SERIES
| Presenter
Magdalena Mot, Senior Manager for Work-Integrated Learning, Capilano University
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Storytelling is perhaps the most time-honoured form of communication. More often than not, our first professional encounter starts with an invitation: “So, tell me about yourself”. Yet many of us are not equipped to tell our story to someone unfamiliar with our culture. Indeed, the art of storytelling draws on self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and effective message delivery. So, how do we support a client and alleviate the stress resulting from cultural misunderstandings? How do we eliminate the risk of a client being “dismissed” before they even get assessed for the job? How can career practitioners, especially those working with diverse populations, equip their clients with the knowledge of storytelling and support them in navigating not only the process of their job search, but also their life transition?
The series aims to empower practitioners by providing a comprehensive understanding of storytelling’s profound role, with a specific focus on pivotal aspects during significant transitions. It will prepare career practitioners with practical skills to guide clients through storytelling nuances, fostering self-confidence and preserving cultural distinctiveness.
We’ll start the series by reviewing the differences between cultural assimilation and cultural integration. We’ll explore the essentials skills that career development practitioners need to build when helping clients to integrate their story with their culture and how they can empower clients to cultivate cultural competency by encouraging authentic storytelling. Our presenter will use intercultural learning models and point participants towards tools and resources to support their clients in finding common communication grounds when conversing with people from different cultures.
At the end of the series, practitioners will be able to better coach their clients in telling their own stories and will have the tools to effectively support them in implementing practical steps that allow for a smooth cultural transition. Our end goal is to empower clients to preserve and appreciate their cultural uniqueness while learning how to nurture their own understanding and appreciation for cultural differences.
Career practitioners will gain an understanding of the mechanisms that underpin cultural integration, which in turn will help them illustrate the steps clients would need to take so they can move forward. CDPs will look at these steps through the lens of those who are just entering a new workplace culture.
The importance of storytelling in one’s life will be the highlight of this second webinar of the series. With a focus on the span of a major life transition, such as moving to a new country, we will be using Nancy Schlosberg’s transitions theory to look at factors describing the Self. To showcase the importance of storytelling, we will watch video interviews and review the implications that “dismissed” or “muted” stories can have on one’s professional development, growth and mental health.
Learn how to find common communication grounds and encourage diverse clients to use authentic storytelling in all their professional encounters.
Individual certificates of attendance will be provided for each webinar of the series. Please note that individual certificates of attendance will ONLY be provided to registered participants who attend the webinar LIVE.
| COST for the full series | |
| Individual Rate | $159 |
| Group Rate* | $119.25 per person |
| ASPECT Members | COST for the full series |
| Individual Rate | $119 |
| Group Rate* | $87.5 per person |
* If you register 5 or more participants from the same organization at the same time, you qualify for the group rate of 25% off registration fees.
CERIC webinars are hosted on Zoom. Learn about it in our FAQ.
Magdalena Mot is currently the Senior Manager for Work-Integrated Learning at Capilano University. With an academic background in cultural anthropology and several years of work experience in project management, Dr. Mot’s current research interests are focused on the ties between one’s cultural heritage and the ways this inheritance affects one’s career development decisions, especially when in a major transition. Dr. Mot’s work connects experiences scattered over 25 years of living, working and studying in four different countries and speaks directly to her core values of diversity, authenticity and her drive to build inclusive communities.
Dr. Mot is an experienced educator and she has over 12 years of teaching experience. Her specializations include career development and intercultural communication in a global business ecosystem. Currently a Certified Master of Career Services (CMCS), Dr. Mot is also the Chair of NCDA’s Global Connections Committee, and an active member of CERIC’s Practical and Academic Research Committee.
CERIC has issued its Call for Presenters to be part of the next hybrid Cannexus, the largest bilingual Career Development Conference in Canada. The call is open to anyone who wants to help the career development community to reflect, celebrate and dig into new trends. Speakers can present in-person in Ottawa, Canada, or virtually at the conference to be held Jan. 27-29, 2025. Cannexus welcomes presentations in either English or French.
Presenting at Cannexus provides an unmatched opportunity to exchange information and explore unique and effective approaches in the areas of career counselling and career and workforce development. The last conference brought together 2,000 people across Canada and the world. Presenters inspire others thanks to their knowledge and gain experience as well as a new level of networking.
Cannexus speakers are researchers and practitioners from universities, schools, community agencies, governments, private practices and corporations. We strongly encourage proposals from individuals from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities. Speakers and attendees are professionals in career and workforce development and related fields who are forward-thinkers with fresh and impactful ideas and projects to convey.
More than 29 areas of interest have been identified to help presenters develop their submissions. Themes range from Effective career counselling and coaching to Trauma-informed practice, and from AI & new technology/tools to the Future of work and workplaces. There is also interest in sessions on Talent management & leadership development geared to directors of career and employment centres. Additionally, international presenters are also welcome to present global perspectives on career development research and practice.
The submission deadline is Friday, May 31, 2024. Please review the terms and guidelines of presenting prior to submitting a proposal. Learn more about Cannexus in this recap of Cannexus24 along with reviews from past delegates.
Cannexus is presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada and a broad network of supporting organizations and partners.
PAID WEBINAR SERIES
| Presenters
Marie Zimenoff, CEO of Career Thought Leaders and Resume Writing Academy
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Artificial intelligence is now a power skill, and will soon be integrated into roles across the workforce. Generative AI is a requested skill in job descriptions across industries, and AI is one of the top skills employees want to learn. We read posts about how AI tools can be used in career services and the best prompts to use, but most are still unsure of the appropriate tools to use, how to incorporate them in a way that best serves their clients’ job search process, and what to watch out for to ensure ethical use and avoid missteps. We lack practical case studies shared from a career development lens and a reframe of “prompt engineering” that incorporates our expertise for the best outcomes from the tools.
Generative AI and other AI tools are a powerful addition to the career service toolkit, speeding up research, improving jobseeker approach, and freeing up time for transformational coaching interaction. But they can also create content that raises red flags and provide incorrect or misleading answers.
In this series, career services providers will get a comprehensive toolkit for using AI tools and generative AI alongside career development best practices for the best client outcomes. Participants will engage in a hands-on learning series where they will be walked through several tools and scenarios to experiment with, along with opportunities to exchange and discuss with colleagues in smaller groups. Based on tests of dozens of tools, attendees will get recommendations for free or low-cost resources for working with clients, guidelines for using these tools ethically, and new ways to think about prompting in generative AI tools.
At the end of the series they will know how to use tools to improve career exploration and research, job search and interviewing, and writing career search documents like resumes, LinkedIn profiles and cover letters.
Individual certificates of attendance will be provided for each webinar of the series. Please note that individual certificates of attendance will ONLY be provided to registered participants who attend the webinar LIVE.
| COST for the full series | |
| Individual Rate | $159 |
| Group Rate* | $119.25 per person |
* If you register 5 or more participants from the same organization at the same time, you qualify for the group rate of 25% off registration fees.
CERIC webinars are hosted on Zoom. Learn about it in our FAQ.
Marie Zimenoff is known as a pioneer on the leading edge of career industry trends and technology. She began her professional career as an advisor and recruiter in higher education while completing her M.Ed. in human resource studies, career and counselling development. In 2008—the peak of the Great Recession—Marie left the university to start her business. Inspired by a passion to make a difference in the industry, as CEO of Career Thought Leaders and Resume Writing Academy, she releases an annual industry trends white paper and trains career professionals around the globe in resume writing, career coaching and business development. She has been speaking on technology topics in the careers industry at international events like the Asia Pacific Career Development Association, national industry conferences, and career and technical education events.
In a significant advance forward in the field of career development, CERIC and the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) proudly announce the launch of their first online course, “An Intersectional Approach to Supporting Career Development” moving towards greater equity and empowerment for clients.
Canada’s workforce thrives on its diversity, with each individual bringing unique identities and experiences. Understanding his diversity is crucial for career and employment professionals, especially when addressing the needs of BIPOC-D communities. CASE’s Diversity Works report underlines how racialized Canadians with disabilities often face unstable work conditions, despite being qualified. Given that 14.3% of Canadians over 15 with disabilities belong to visible minority groups, an intersectional approach is vital for employment professionals to effectively support their job search.
Crafted with a keen understanding of the nuanced challenges faced by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities who experience disability (BIPOC-D), this 6-weeks certificate program will enable career professionals with the awareness, tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of intersectionality in career development, support and assist clients to advance in their chosen careers.
Participants can expect to:
Registration for “An Intersectional Approach to Supporting Career Development” is now open and the first cohort starts on March 4, 2024. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.
FREE WEBINAR
| Co-Presenters
Lisa Taylor, President of Challenge Factory Taryn Blanchard, Head of Research, Challenge Factory
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French subtitles are available on the recording of this webinar.
Much of Canada’s career development field is not visible or known to Canadians and policymakers. Without a comprehensive evidence base that identifies who does the important work of career development across the country, several challenges will continue to hinder the advancement of the field. In light of this, CERIC funded Challenge Factory to undertake a research project to identify the size and membership of Canada’s career development sector. In a first-of-its-kind evidence base, the report Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada’s Career Development Sector reveals the full scope of the people and systems providing career services to Canadians. In this informative webinar, Challenge Factory will share key findings from the project and provide an update on the response the work has received since its launch.
In this free webinar, we will explore what is now known about who delivers career services in Canada—and what we want to know next. Since its launch at Cannexus24 to an enthusiastic reception, we’ve held briefings with government officials, industry leaders and practitioner communities who are all interested in the evidence base and its implications for a stronger sector in the future. This session will also be an excellent opportunity to hear more about the perspectives of these key interestholders. At the end of the session, participants will feel better informed, empowered and connected, contributing to the advancement of the career development in Canada.
Overview of the research project
Challenge Factory and the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) have partnered with CERIC to scope and map who is providing career services across Canada. The goal of this project was to demonstrate the breadth and depth of support that Canadians receive from this hidden sector as we all navigate changing labour market and employment landscapes.
Learn about the project and download the report’s executive summary
Download the report Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada’s Career Development Sector
CERIC webinars are hosted on Zoom. Learn about it in our FAQ.
“An invaluable platform for networking, learning and professional growth,” and a “warm and inclusive community of professionals,” were just a few of the ways that the 1,900 attendees described the latest edition of Cannexus, Canada’s Career Development Conference. Cannexus saw career development professionals from throughout this country and across the globe come together from Jan. 29-31, 2024, both virtually and in Ottawa. Calling the conference “soul-nourishing” as well as “thought-provoking,” delegates explored innovations in career and workforce development while exchanging ideas with peers – all to empower people and communities to achieve economic and social well-being.
Among the many highlights from CERIC’s Cannexus24 conference were four remarkable keynotes: Hamza Khan deciphering the future of work; Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc telling her story of resilience; Dr. Nancy Arthur delving into the trends and turbulence facing career development; and Dr. Sean Lessard sharing his work alongside First Nations’ youth. Across 100+ education sessions, delegates examined a range of current and emerging issues with strong interest in sessions focused on artificial intelligence, neurodiversity, Indigenous learners, funding of employment services, intergenerational workplaces and mental health.
The conference also acted as a launch pad for several new CERIC resources, being released as the national charity behind Cannexus celebrates its 20th anniversary:
Another notable moment of the conference was Trina Maher being honoured with the Wileman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Career Development. An Indigenous career development leader, Maher is a member of Mattagami First Nation, and the President and Chief Creative Spirit of Bridging Concepts, an Indigenous human resources consultancy with the vision to see “Indigenous peoples enjoy meaningful careers in Canadian workplaces.” Maher was recognized for her commitment to building bridges with communities, fostering inclusive workplaces, and developing strategies for hiring and retaining talent, which have left an indelible mark on the landscape of career development in Canada.
For a second Cannexus in a row, career development leaders from across Canada met in Ottawa in advance of the conference to further collaborate on a National Advocacy Campaign for Career Development. The impetus for the campaign is that while career development is critical to shaping employment, work, education and labour markets across Canada, policymakers, employers and Canadians continue to know very little about the sector. Sector leaders generated different campaign ideas that would enable us to Increase the knowledge that career development is essential to getting beyond decent work.
Other aspects of the conference focused on making connections, with Cannexus24 offering an in-person first-timer’s session and exhibitor showcase as well as virtual roundtables and meetups. The powerful Blanket exercise also returned to Ottawa and offered the chance to explore the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
In the post-conference survey, 89.6% of delegates rated the experience as good to excellent and 94.7% indicated they plan to incorporate what they learned into their work. Overall, delegates referenced the knowledgeable presenters, feeling better equipped to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, and the energy that comes from interacting with passionate like-minded colleagues. On the virtual side, there was feedback around technical difficulties and the desire for a more user-friendly platform but an appreciation that a virtual option makes Cannexus accessible to a wider audience.
Just a few of the stand-out comments included:
“Whether you are new to the field or have decades of experience under your belt, Cannexus is the place to keep your knowledge up to date, feel the excitement of sharing new ideas, and make connections that will last a lifetime. You will always leave this conference with new energy and lots of plans to implement. “- Blessie Mathew, Director, Career Centre and Experiential Learning, University of Alberta, AB | In-person attendee
“A great learning experience, very informative and inspiring, that helped me analyze the past, visualize the future and gave me some tools to work in the present and be part of the change. What an exciting journey! “- Monica Garcia, Case Manager in the Gateway to Tourism & Hospitality for Newcomers program, ISSofBC, BC | Virtual attendee
“Cannexus24 was a life-giving experience for me! As someone who is the only person doing this work, it was great to connect with professionals across the country and share our passion – career development! No matter what role we found ourselves in, we had something in common – a desire to support individuals in experiencing success and moving towards a preferred future.” – Kirby Krause, Career Development and Life Exploration Program Coordinator, Hanover School Division, MB | In-person attendee
“Cannexus24 provided a holistic approach to career development, empowering attendees to navigate change with confidence and inclusivity. It was an enlightening experience that left me inspired and equipped to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of work.” – Jennifer Kollmar, Career Resource Specialist, triOS College, ON | Virtual attendee
Cannexus24 was presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada with a broad network of 40 supporting organizations and valued partners. Mark your calendars for the Cannexus25 conference to be held Jan. 27-29, 2025. The Call for Presenters will be released this spring. Meanwhile, all Cannexus24 delegates have access to the conference recordings for three months.
The Winter 2024 edition of the Canadian Journal of Career Development (CJCD) has just been released, exploring current and emerging issues in career development affecting individuals experiencing workplace bullying, neuro-informed career-focused counselling and the career development of working mothers. Retiree mentorship, professionalizing the career development sector and the relationship between personal traits and career decision-making are also in focus.
An Indigenous career development leader, Trina Maher is the recipient of CERIC’s 2024 Wileman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Career Development. The announcement was made during an awards ceremony at Cannexus, Canada’s Career Development Conference in Ottawa on Jan. 29.
In honouring Maher, Jennifer Browne, Chair of the Selection Committee, said “her commitment to building bridges with communities, fostering inclusive workplaces, and developing strategies for hiring and retaining talent has left an indelible mark on the landscape of career development in Canada.”
Maher is a member of Mattagami First Nation, and the President and Chief Creative Spirit of Bridging Concepts, an Indigenous human resources consultancy with the vision to see “Indigenous peoples enjoy meaningful careers in Canadian workplaces.”
An internationally certified adult educator with over two decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to Indigenous diversity education, community organization capacity building, program and project management, and career and personal leadership development.
She has advised on national labour-market research studies, provided career coaching facilitator’s training to Indigenous agencies across every province and territory, and is a member of the national council for the development of Canada’s Career Development Practitioner Centre launched in 2023.
Since 1999, she has played a pivotal role in educating, strategizing, advising and coaching HR teams to create inclusive workplaces. Her work spans from conducting workshops for government agencies to delivering customized training for private companies in the resource, technology, petroleum, mining, service, banking and non-profit sectors.
From 2002 to 2011, as the National Director, Inclusion Strategies for Indigenous Works, she educated corporate clients about Indigenous history, helping them recruit and retain Indigenous talent. From 2010 to 2018, she delivered 22 workshops to over 500 managers, including those from Correctional Services Canada and various private companies. In 2009, she led the curriculum development and training for the Government of Canada’s Labour Program “Racism Free Workplace Strategy,” impacting over 350 managers from Employment Equity companies.
Since establishing her consulting business in 2011, she continues to elevate the potential for Indigenous talent in Canada. Her contributions extend to developing and delivering training for organizations such as the Ontario Provincial Police, Halton Police Region, Government of Alberta, Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board and Diabetes Canada.
Maher was unable to attend Cannexus in-person; instead, her friend Gray Poehnell went on stage to accept it on her behalf. She did, however, share a video acknowledging the honour.
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. She believed that work was about the individual and in the importance of work to the human soul. Wileman was a strong advocate for a national system of employment offices. She also lobbied for the role of parents and schools in the career development guidance of children.
Initiated in 2007, the Etta St. John Wileman Award recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact in enhancing the field of career development. Past recipients have included Marilyn Van Norman, Denis Pelletier, Norman Amundson, Mildred Cahill, Bryan Heibert, Donald Lawson, Michel Turcotte, Roberta Borgen (Neault) and Lynne Bezanson.
Over the past three years, the Wileman Award Committee has been thinking deeply about the award, taking steps to enhance its inclusivity and accessibility. Consequently, the award’s focus has evolved to outstanding achievement from lifetime achievement. The revised criteria embody a more expansive definition of leadership, encompassing outstanding service and community engagement. The revamped award also considers how nominees have demonstrated a commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Browne remarked during the award ceremony that in 2023, CERIC received multiple nominations, underscoring the substantial depth of exceptionally talented and innovative individuals in the field who are making a significant impact across Canada. She also invited the career community to help identify other mentors, educators, advisors, advocates and role models that should be celebrated, noting to watch for the next call for nominations to open in the spring.
As CERIC kicks off 20 years of advancing career development in Canada, we are pleased to release three new publications and two reports that will serve as essential resources for career development professionals. These resources have emerged from CERIC-funded projects exploring the scope of Canada’s career development sector, career theories, elementary career-related learning, the future of work and refugee workforce integration.
Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada’s Career Development Sector
For the first time ever, this report produced by Challenge Factory reveals the full scope of the people and systems providing career services and supports to Canadians. This groundbreaking study, supported by CERIC and the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), provides the evidence base needed to unlock the potential of Canadian career service professionals. Available for free download.
Practice Principles: Career Theories and Models at Work
This new book from authors Dr. Nancy Arthur, Dr. Roberta Borgen and Dr. Mary McMahon is an essential companion to CERIC’s popular Career Theories and Models at Work: Ideas for Practice. Practice Principles serves as a “go-to” guide for career professionals, providing theory-informed, foundational principles for effective career interventions. Available for purchase in print.
Exploring Possibilities! Journeying Through Career-Related Learning in Grades 4–6: A Teaching Toolkit helps to shine a light on the value and many ways of undertaking career-related learning in elementary schools. Underpinned by research and data collected from educators, parents, students and industry partners, Exploring Possibilities! will help educators understand how their teaching practices develop foundational career-related skills. Available for free download or for purchase as an e-book or in print.
Career Development 2040: Preparing for Possible Scenarios of Work and Careers
The latest report from the Career Development in 2040 research project identifies how the career development sector, advocacy organizations and policymakers need to prepare for 2040 and beyond. The report aims to motivate action that ensures workers across Canada have the support they need to prepare and adjust to the futures of work. The first report, published in October 2023, explores 10 major changes with the potential to impact career development in 2040. Available for free download.
This research-driven publication recommends strategies for career and guidance counsellors to help refugees – especially those with low levels of education – integrate into society and the working world, with an emphasis on respect for cultural differences and collaboration with employers and public institutions. It is currently available in French and an English version will be available this spring. Available for free download or for purchase as an e-book or in print.
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