Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
Career Overview
Career development practitioners and career counsellors work one-on-one with people, giving advice, information and the tools needed to find jobs and plan their careers. They also share information with employers on staffing and employment issues.
Supervisors of career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education) are included in this unit group.
They work for:
- Public and private employment agencies
- Rehabilitation centres
- Hospitals
- Human resource departments
- Consulting firms
- Correctional facilities
- Federal and provincial governments
Job Titles
Duties
Career development practitioners and career counsellors perform some or all of the following:
- Interview clients to gather information about their education, work history and career goals
- Help clients write resumés, prepare for job interviews, build job-readiness skills and develop job-search strategies
- Assess clients’ needs for support, financial aid and training and refer them to the appropriate services
- Provide information to workers on keeping a job, moving within an organization, dealing with job dissatisfaction and making a mid-career change
- Give clients labour market information about job openings and skill requirements
- Advise employers on staffing and other employment-related issues
- Consult with community groups, businesses, industry and other organizations that offer career planning resources
- Take part in or organize workshops, networking events, panel discussions and other group learning opportunities
- May test and assess clients’ interests, abilities and challenges
- May provide support and services related to employment legislation or contracts
- May conduct physical, mental, academic, vocational and other evaluations to assess clients' needs and to develop employment and rehabilitation plans
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,590% Employed Full Time
68%About half of all employment counsellors work in the Lower Mainland. Most are employed by the federal or provincial government or by post-secondary institutions. Some work for large organizations or private employment service agencies. Others are self-employed.
Employment counsellors work in offices and keep regular office hours. Sometimes, they attend evening and weekend events. Those who are self-employed may have more flexible hours.
They spend most of the workday at their desks and speaking with people, either in person or by video conference.
This work can be stressful. Employment counsellors deal one-on-one with clients who are at transition points in their lives. Many have recently lost their jobs. Some also have personal problems or unrealistic goals. Nevertheless, helping people navigate this difficult time and find a good job can make the work very satisfying.
Career Pathways
With experience, career development practitioners and career counsellors may advance into supervisory, human resource or training positions.
Some may go into private practice and work as consultants or executive-level coaches.
Vocational counsellors provide career development services to individuals with physical illnesses or injuries and mental health illnesses, including individuals with disabilities. They need additional knowledge and experience to assess employment capabilities and develop associated employment plans.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Career development practitioners and career counsellors need a bachelor’s degree or college diploma in employment counselling, career development or a related field, such as human resources development, psychology, education or social services.
Some jobs also require:
- A master’s degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work
- Certification as a vocational rehabilitation professional may be required by employers
- Certification as a certified career development practitioner (CCDP) through the BC Career Development Association
In addition, career development practitioners and career counsellors need to keep up with trends in the labour market and the economy. They must also have insight into what it takes to work in various careers.
Workers coming to B.C.
Career development practitioners and career counsellors who are certified by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information, such as a letter of good standing, references or a criminal record check.
Workers who trained outside of Canada
Career development practitioners and career counsellors who trained outside of Canada and have never received certification from a Canadian jurisdiction will likely need a full assessment to be certified in B.C. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact the BC Career Development Association for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Human Resources
- Human/Social Service Work
- Social Work
- Psychology (Arts)
- Psychology (Science)
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,590Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 95 | 6.0% |
| Kootenay | 55 | 3.4% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 940 | 58.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 50 | 3.1% |
| Northeast | 20 | 1.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 165 | 10.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 265 | 16.6% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
760Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 40 | 0.7% |
| Kootenay | 30 | 0.9% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 450 | 1.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 10 | 0.2% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 80 | 1.3% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 140 | 1.3% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 340 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | 170 |
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 60 |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 60 |
| Educational Services | 40 |
Insights from Industry
Technology has become increasingly important to the hiring and job-search processes. Career development practitioners and career counsellors with a strong understanding of new technologies can best support their clients. This includes applications used by employers to analyze resumés and applications, and one-way interviews, through which job applicants record answers to questions and upload them for review.
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are also key priorities of many employers. A good understanding of EDI efforts will help employment counsellors better serve their clients.
Resources
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BC Career Development Association (BCCDA)www.bccda.org/home
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Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE)www.cacee.com
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an employment case manager is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an employment case manager is like.
