The Pan-Canadian Competency Framework for Career Development Professionals details the skills, knowledge, and actions demonstrated by effective career development professionals, career influencers, career educators, and thought leaders.
The Competency Framework can be used by:
- The public to better understand the breadth of services and value of the career development sector.
- Employers of CDPs and others focused on career development to inform recruitment, selection, performance appraisal and training.
- Training providers to develop and design career development course curriculum and professional programs, tools, or training.
- Current and future CDPs, career influencers, career educators, and thought leaders to validate their knowledge, skills and abilities and plan for career growth.
- International career development leadership organizations and governments to promote common language, standards, and collaboration across the global career development sector.
The Competency Framework is organized into 4 main categories of competencies:
1) Professional Practice competencies are foundational to CDP practice and are competencies we share with other human service professionals.
2) CDP Characteristic competencies are distinct to CDPs and apply to all practicing CDPs.
3) CDP Extended competencies are specialized competencies that may be needed by some CDPs, depending on their role and setting.
4) Leadership & Outreach competencies support leadership and growth in our profession.
Summary of Competencies
Professional Practice
Competencies enabling effective practice.
Foundational to Career Development Professionals (CDPs), these competencies are also indicative of related fields of practice.
1 - Professional Responsibility
2 - Ethics and Regulations
Guide practice using ethical decision-making process
3 - Client-Practitioner Relationship
4 - Diversity and Inclusion
Promote a diverse and inclusive workforce and equitable access to resources and opportunities
5 - Evidence-Based Practice
Develop and sustain an evidence-based practice to improve outcomes
6 - Professional Development
Commit to lifelong learning by developing new skills aligned with development in the field of practice and society
7 - Health and Wellness
Promote well-being and a healthy work environment
8 - Communication
Communicate in a clear and effective manner
9 - Digital Literacy
Leverage current and emerging technologies to support career development practice
CDP Characteristic
Competencies distinguishing the field of career development practice.
These competencies are generally distinct to CDPs and embody the main activities that apply to most CDPs.
10 - Foundational Knowledge and Applied Theories
Develop foundational knowledge of field of practice
11 - Service Delivery Process
Engage clients in a structured career exploration
12 - Learning and Job Readiness
Provide individualized support to achieve learning and employment goals
13 - Awareness of Diverse Worldviews
Develop tailored approaches for client populations
14 - Career Resources
Manage career resources to support client services and self-directed learning
15 - Client Work Search Strategies
Use tailored approaches to prepare client for learning and employment
16 - Referrals to Professional Services
Refer client to other professionals as required
CDP Extended
Competencies required to deliver specialized services provided by CDPs.
Generally, these competencies apply to experienced CDPs with responsibilities that extend beyond the characteristic competencies.
17 - Development and Delivery of Group Sessions
Design and deliver sessions to address career-related learning and development needs
18 - Research
Conduct and lead research
19 - Assessment and Evaluation Instruments and Procedures
Use assessment and evaluation methods
20 - Career Guidance in Educational System
Facilitate transition from school to employment
21 - Career Management
Facilitate talent mobility
Outreach and Leadership
Competencies reflecting the strategic role of career development professionals.
The focus of these competencies is related to improved social and economic outcomes for clients and communities.
22 - Employer Outreach and Relations
Work collaboratively with employers to address workforce challenges
23 - Community Capacity Building
Leverage capacity within the community
24 - Policy and Advocacy
Engage in policy development and advocacy to further the interest of clients and the field of practice
25 - Strategic Delivery of Career Development Services
Establish a culture of strategic thinking
26 - Career Development Leadership
Contribute to the advancement of the field
Download PDF Documents
Full Framework
Includes front end matter, summary of competencies, and each of the four categories.
Framework Front Matter
Includes the framework description, scope, structure, and acknowledgements.
Summary of Competencies
Lists all competencies by category and series, as well as single pages for each category.
All Competencies
Includes all competencies in the framework in a single PDF document.
Competencies by Category
Professional Practice
Foundational to Career Development Professionals (CDPs), these competencies are also indicative of related fields of practice.
CDP Characteristic
These competencies are generally distinct to CDPs and embody the main activities that apply to most CDPs.
CDP Extended
Generally, these competencies apply to experienced CDPs with responsibilities that extend beyond the characteristic competencies.
Outreach and Leadership
The focus of these competencies is related to improved social and economic outcomes for clients and communities.