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“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: 

• For the first time ever, Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada’s Career Development Sector reveals the full scope of the people and systems providing career services and supports to Canadians. This groundbreaking study provides the evidence base needed to unlock the potential of Canadian career service professionals.  
• 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. Using a strategic foresight methodology, the project creates greater understanding of the range of possible futures we might expect.  
• Practice Principles, a follow-up to Career Theories and Models at Work, provides theory-informed principles for everyday application by career practitioners. It serves as a “go-to” guide, offering core principles for effective career interventions. Delegates at the in-person conference, each received a copy, thanks to our Knowledge Champions. 
• A new teaching toolkit helps elementary educators understand how their teaching practices develop foundational career-related skills. Exploring Possibilities! Journeying Through Career-Related Learning in Grades 4–6 recognizes that career development starts early, encouraging children to explore their interests, strengths and dreams. 
• A research-driven publication recommends strategies to help refugees – especially those with lower levels of education – to integrate into society and the working world. Supporting the Integration of Refugees with Little Formal Education: An Intercultural Approach is currently available in French and an English version will be available this spring.  

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.