Human Resources Training

HR Training Events and Conferences

The British Columbia Career Development Association (BCCDA) website identifies human resources conferences and training events. The Workapedia Calendar of Events also lists sector events and training courses.

Conferences

• The CDC (Career Development Conference) is the largest B.C. event for career practitioners, HR specialists and related professionals. 
• The CES (Career Education Society) conference offers career development workshops for educators and counsellors who help youth transition into the working world.
• The ASPECT (Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training) conference is designed for community-based training agencies in B.C. and across Canada. It brings front-line professionals together with service planners at all levels, from agency to government.

Online Professional Networks

Former Workapedia chats now happen in a closed Facebook group created for ASPECT. There, members continue to pose questions, post jobs and comment on labour market and career information issues.

Career counsellors throughout Canada share information and views with the ContactPoint forums and blogs. The main topic of the Fall 2010 Bulletin is social media strategies and tools for HR professionals and their clients.

Professional Associations

All professional associations serve their members with networking, education and training. In B.C., HR specialists have their choice of two broad-based professional groups. BCCDA is dedicated to advancing the career development profession. ASPECT is an association serving the community-based trainers who help job seekers become more employable.

Other associations serve specific disciplines such as school counselling.The BC Association of Clinical Counsellors grants the title RCC: Registered Clinical Counsellor.

Professional Education and Training for HR Careers

As a B.C. career practitioner, you have a good choice of ways to update your skills and knowledge or boost your professional profile. Graduate work is available in part-time or full-time programs at three universities for career counselling specialists. (Look for Counselling Psychology at UBC, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria.) At the University of Northern British Columbia, students can pursue a masters in Education with a Counselling Specialization. This degree program prepares students for roles in social service and community health as well as education.

Program for CDPC Designation

A Career Development Practitioner Certificate program is offered by part-time study at:

• Douglas College
• College of New Caledonia
• Simon Fraser University