Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Interview clients to obtain employment history, educational background and career goals

• Identify barriers to employment and assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job search strategies, writing résumés and preparing for job interviews

• Assess need for assistance such as rehabilitation, financial aid or further training and refer clients to the appropriate services

• Provide established workers with information and strategies for maintaining a job or moving within an organization, dealing with job dissatisfaction, making mid-career changes and adjusting to workplace transitions

• Collect labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information

• Advise employers on human resource and other employment-related issues

• Provide consulting services to community groups and agencies, businesses, industry and other organizations involved in providing community-based career planning support or resources

• May administer and interpret tests designed to determine the interests, aptitudes and abilities of clients.

• May provide advocacy and adjudication services related to employment legislation or contractual agreements.

• May arrange for, or conduct physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients' needs and to develop employment and rehabilitation plans.

• Vocational counsellors provide specialized career development services to individuals with physical illnesses or injuries, mental health illnesses and individuals with disabilities. They require additional knowledge and experience to assess employment capabilities and develop associated employment plans.

• A bachelor's degree or college diploma in employment counselling, career development or in a related field, such as human resources development, psychology, education or social services is required.

• A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work may be required.

• Vocational rehabilitation professional certification may be required by employers.

• Mobility to positions in personnel or training is possible.

• Progression to supervisory positions is possible through experience.