Putting the pieces together: Toward a coherent transition system for Canada's labour force

Considering the specific needs of some groups in the population (aboriginal people, people with disabilities, members of visible minorities), counselling services must be developed to address those needs, because these groups would not use the general services or would not find adequate assistance through the general services. The survey of counsellors showed that the composition of counsellors is biased in favor of white females and against people with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and males. Although counsellors do not think it important that they be members of the same identifiable population as their clients, representatives of the equity groups believe that the counselling needs of these groups are better served by members of the groups or individuals specially trained and sensitive to their issues. Although a significant number of clients belong to the designated groups, the training of counsellors has not reflected the special needs of these populations.

Skills clinics

Skills clinics, located in all municipalities and big businesses, could offer intake, assessment, referral, and career counselling all at the same location, thus reducing duplication of these services by several providers and significantly reducing time and effort invested by clients to receive services.

Counselling in the skills clinics would include:

Assessment: evaluation of prior and current skills, knowledge, and interests, through educational and occupational assessments. Assessment provides the basis for further education and training including the acquisition of life and literacy skills where necessary.
Counselling: career counselling helps individuals identify career directions that most appropriately fit interests, abilities, values, provide personal relevance, and are self-motivating. Career counselling also includes teaching the self-management skills of job hunting, job retention, and coping with job transitions.
Referral: through assessment of skills and interests, referral to any of the following may occur: educational and occupational training programs, pre-employment programs, career counselling, or a job.

Source: Canadian Guidance and Counselling Foundation, Ready For Change -- Career Counselling in the 90s, September 1992