History

The Canadian Standards & Guidelines for Career Development Practitioners were rolled out across Canada in 2002. They were designed to ensure core competencies and specializations could be measured by practitioners, the public and by employers across the country. The process to provide certification of career development practitioners, based on the Canadian Standards and Guidelines, has been established in BC, Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In June 2011 representatives from a cross section of Career Development Practitioners in Ontario met to propel the movement for Certification in Ontario. From this meeting, a stewardship group was elected to guide this process.

The Stewardship Group began to develop a certification model for practitioners in Ontario. This committee developed the certification model based on extensive research into other models and consultations with Ontario career development practitioners and other interested stakeholders throughout the process. The final work stage of the Stewardship Group was to identify an organization to handle the administrative processes, be responsible for receiving and reviewing certification applications and issue the certification credential.

The Stewardship Group asked organizations in the field to submit an Expression of Interest. A subcommittee of Stewardship Group members came together to review expression of interest documents and identify the organization to oversee and administer credentialing in Ontario. The CDPCBO won the bid for this in March 2014.

Our Vision

To raise the profile and the standards of the career development profession in Ontario for our practitioners and our consumers.

Our Mandate

To govern and administer the Ontario Certified Career Development Practitioner Model.

Our Activities

  • Establish a Board of Directors and by-laws for the organization in line with ONCA or as required for unincorporated associations.
  • Establish and monitor the certification process in consultation with the Advisory Committee and other stakeholders.
  • Establish and monitor the recertification process in consultation with the Advisory Committee and other stakeholders.
  • Evaluate/assess candidates’ submissions and award or deny certification.
  • Verify application information randomly as a form of quality assurance or when there is suspicious or conflicting information in an application.
  • Collaborate with the Stewardship committee, Advisory Committee and national certifying bodies including CCCD, in the completion of the drafting of certification and recertification requirements, ensuring harmonization and reciprocity for practitioners across the country.
  • Maintain a registry of certified career development practitioners in Ontario.
  • Maintain a registry of approved Professional Career Development Associations for membership.
  • Maintain a registry of approved educational institutions and training bodies for the mandatory courses as outlined in the requirements for certification.
  • Communicate processes and requirements to the career development practitioner community in Ontario.
  • Inform the career development community of any changes in policies or processes on a timely basis, as decided by the Advisory Committee.
  • Collaborate and liaise with other organizations serving and representing the broad sector of career development across the province and nationally.
  • Participate in events, conferences, meetings, etc. related to the career development practitioner community to remain current on emerging trends and needs.
  • Offer training to practitioners requiring the mandatory courses as outlined in the criteria for certification.
  • Offer other training courses and educational events to practitioners to meet their on-going requirements for recertification.
  • Post and promote other training opportunities and events of interest to certified career development practitioners to meet their on-going requirements for recertification.
  • Collaborate with other organizations representing and serving the career development practitioner community in identifying trends, service requirements and emerging new competencies for career development practitioners.
  • Conduct research with certified career development practitioners on emerging needs, developments and other related issues.

Future Activities

In accordance to the by-laws established by the organization and the Acts governing its operation some future activities could include:

  •  Facilitating the legacy of Ontario CCDPs to National Certification
  • Continue to represent Ontario CCDPs on the National Certification Steering Committee and Stakeholder Group
  • Continue to represent CDPCBO on the Canadian Council for Career Development (3CD)

CERTIFICATION

The launch of certification for career development practitioners in Canada has served to strengthen career development as a field of practice, increase the competence and professionalism of CDPs, and provide quality assurance to employers, funders, and the public.

View Certification Across Canada

Benefits of Certification

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British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario have each created a comprehensive list of the benefits of certification – for CDP’s, the public, employers and funders. The goal was to establish harmonization and reciprocity with all provinces while recognizing that each province has autonomy in setting and managing their certification criteria and processes.  3CD (Canadian Council for Career Development) (www.cccda.org) worked together with these five Provinces to establish reciprocity between provinces. This has been achieved. Ontario certification is now accepted in the other provinces having Career Development Practitioner certification. This will contribute to increased professional cohesion and CDP mobility nationally. Click here for the benefits of certification across Canada.