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The workforce and the world of career development continue to evolve alongside global emergencies, environmental factors, and changes in technology and workplace policies. Some organizations are creating online communities of practice where career development professionals can connect with their peers to help navigate the changing workforce and support career development in our communities.
These communities of practice offer career professionals an online forum where they can share ideas, resources and best practices, as well as learn and grow by connecting and collaborating with their peers and attending industry-related events.
If you’re a career professional who works in Canada and you’re interested in connecting with your peers (at home and internationally) to share resources, engage in discussions and learn more to support your role, you may find what you’re looking for in the following online communities of practice.
Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA)
The Asia Pacific Career Development Association connects career development professionals who want to share information that’s relevant to the Asia Pacifica region. Both paid members and non-members are able to join the free Member Community, where career professionals are welcome to ask questions, share ideas and resources, join committees, and create discussions groups dedicated to topics that interest them. Topic groups within the community include the Advocacy Interest Group, Job Search Skills Interest Group and Future Career Trends Interest Group.
Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE)
The Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) welcomes senior leaders who work in career services at colleges, institutes and polytechnics to join its community of practice. This community of practice aims to facilitate discussion, collaboration and inspiration, as well as foster an environment for professional learning and development to meet the unique learning needs of leaders.
Two times per year, members can meet online for a virtual roundtable discussion and once per year in person at a roundtable hosted as part of the CACEE National Conference. Members can also collaborate online via email and the group’s national listserv.
The group’s first event took place online on June 28, 2023. If you were unable to attend and are interested in joining, CACEE welcomes you to email them using the contact information on their website.
Career Development Professional Centre (CDPC)
The Career Development Professional Centre is a virtual hub that invites professionals who work in career and employment services across the country to network, engage in discussion, explore ideas, share best practices, and learn new things that can help support career development. It was developed by Future Skills Centre in collaboration with the Canadian Career Development Foundation and MixtMode Consulting.
Along with training and information, the CDPC offers a community of practice. Its virtual social learning community is an open space for anyone working in career and employment services across the country to join in discussion, networking, sharing and learning.
Those who are interested in joining this community of practice can register online to begin discussing and collaborating with their peers.
Career Professionals of Canada Community
This Facebook group from the Career Professionals of Canada national association is for career professionals serving the Canadian labour market. Members of Career Professionals of Canada’s Facebook group connect for the purposes of information sharing, professional development and relationship building. Posts must be related to career resources, learning and networking. The group is private.
FSC Community of Practice (FSC CoP)
Future Skills Centre has teamed up with Magnet to launch a community of practice dedicated to fostering collaboration and the sharing of effective practices in the skills development and training sector. This community of practice offers the following benefits:
- Opportunities to connect with fellow industry professionals across Canada to develop relationships, discuss the future of work, collaborate and share resources (such as research, publications, best practices and guides);
- Access to online training, resources and news; and
- Access to events, including workshops, led by industry experts.
Currently, the FSC CoP features 1,400+ professionals who work in skills training –including practitioners, researchers, policy makers and community organizers – but the FSC welcomes anyone with an interest in skills training, labour market research and the future of work to join by registering online.
VRA Canada
VRA Canada is dedicated to helping professionals who support vocational rehabilitation. One of their numerous membership benefits includes access to a Slack group with channels dedicated to different issues that members are welcome to discuss and explore together. Members are also invited to engage in discussions and share best practices and case studies on Zoom.
