Past Highlights

Using its extensive national network, CCDF mapped the career development sector in Canada. In this project, CCDF developed two inventories: one scoping and documenting pan-Canadian associations and networks and a second, scoping and documenting service delivery structures in all provinces and territories. CCDF also conducted a practitioner survey in order to gather and analyze data on their competency profiles.

The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation commissioned a pan-Canadian study of career development practices in K-12 public schools. Almost 500 guidance counsellors from across Canada completed a self administered online survey coupled with an online log tracking their time allocation over three consecutive days.

The results at a national level show a well-educated population, but not necessarily in the field of guidance and counselling. For the most part, emerging approaches to service delivery – such as group interventions, outreach to parents and/or workshop approaches – are not widely used. It also revealed a significant lack of consistency nationally with respect to service delivery standards and professional preparation of guidance counsellors. CCDF was engaged to analyze the study results and package key messages to inform policy and practice.

CCDF was engaged to review research and literature on employment in the non-profit sector, particularly as it relates to early employees with PSE and late career employees. CCDF prepared a report and PPT presentation based on this review.

CCDF researched and examined Internationally Trained Professionals’ (ITPs) Bridge-To-Work (B-T-W) Initiatives for the Information and Communication Technology Sector Council (ICTC). This work resulted in an inventory of programs and a report with recommendations on initiatives that could be adopted by the ICT sector in recruiting ITPs.

CCDF has piloted, with SME employers and workers, a number of practical interventions intended to increase employees’ engagement with their work and workplace and their motivation to learn and develop the skill sets needed in the organization. As a result of the pilots and their evaluations, employers will have effective interventions for their continued workplace use. The project will also build the evidence-base for the outcomes and impacts of career development applications in workplaces.

CCDF conducted a background study and managed the development of a book of 186 occupational descriptions of career options which do not require a university degree. CCDF also developed the corresponding website and a training workshop with facilitator guide.

CCDF trained trainers nationally to deliver Career Directions Workshops across Canada. A ½ day workshop was developed and delivered to situate Career Directions in a career development context and to bring it to life in classrooms and group settings. This strategy created a vital support to implementation and has resulted in significant and sustained usage of the book.

NCSIS is a community-based skills inventory, career opportunity matching and reporting system used in Nunavut to analyze potential skill and training gaps and facilitate economic development and the creation of employment training programs. CCDF played a lead role on NCSIS’s development and implementation team. NCSIS continues to be used in Nunavut by the GN and CCDF continues to be consulted by the GN on the use of this application.

CCDF was a managing partner in this 7-year national initiative which developed a network of over 6000 youth-serving agencies, a virtual resource centre and an online training (Circuit Coach) program for staff of youth-serving agencies.

F2D was an innovative partnership between the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation and the governments of New Brunswick and Manitoba. It was a six-year pilot project aimed at understanding whether better information, career development interventions and/or financial incentives can encourage students who would not normally pursue post-secondary education to successfully attend.

CCDF developed both the Grade 11 and 12 interventions. Lasting Gifts (Grade 11) is a series of workshops for joint audiences of parents/adults and teens. Future in Focus (Grade 12) is a series of workshops for students focused on building career resilience. Future in Focus also includes two sessions for parents/significant adults to help them understand the vital role they play and engage them in supporting their teens’ career development.

CCDF organized and hosted the inaugural International Symposium bringing together policy-makers and practitioners from 14 countries to share best practices, build a common vision and articulate national action plans.
The first symposium built the foundation for an international movement that has since resulted in five symposia. These symposia have launched many countries to action, solidifying career services and building an evidence-base for proving that career development works.