Overview
Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education) provide assistance and information to job seeker clients on all aspects of employment search and career planning. They also provide advice and information to employer clients regarding employment issues and human resources. They are employed by public or private employment agencies, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, human resource departments of establishments, consulting firms, correctional facilities and by federal and provincial governments. Supervisors of career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education) are included in this unit group.
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.