National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
- 4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
- 41 - Professional occupations in law and social, community and government services
- 415 - Social and community service professionals
4156 - Employment counsellors
Employment counsellors provide assistance and information to job seeker clients on all aspects of employment search and career planning. They also provide advice and information to employer clients regarding employment issues and human resources. Employment counsellors are employed by human resource departments of establishments, employment service organizations, consulting firms, correctional facilities and by federal and provincial governments. Supervisors of employment counsellors are included in this unit group.
Illustrative example(s)
- career counsellor - except education
- career development counsellor
- employment counsellor
- outplacement counsellor
- relocation consultant
- relocation counsellor
Exclusion(s)
- Educational counsellors (4033)
- Employment insurance officers (See 1228 Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers)
- Human resources and recruitment officers (1223)
- Job coaches for persons with disabilities (See 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities)
- Vocational rehabilitation counsellors (See 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors)
Main duties
Employment counsellors perform some or all of the following duties:
- Interview clients to obtain employment history, educational background and career goals
- Identify barriers to employment and assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job search strategies, writing résumés and preparing for job interviews
- Assess need for assistance such as rehabilitation, financial aid or further training and refer clients to the appropriate services
- Provide established workers with information and strategies for maintaining a job or moving within an organization, dealing with job dissatisfaction, making mid-career changes and adjusting to workplace transitions
- Collect labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information
- Advise employers on human resource and other employment-related issues
- Provide consulting services to community groups and agencies, businesses, industry and other organizations involved in providing community-based career planning support or resources
- May administer and interpret tests designed to determine the interests, aptitudes and abilities of clients.
Employment requirements
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma in employment counselling, career development or in a related field, such as human resources development, psychology, education or social services is required.
- A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work may be required.
- In Quebec, membership in a professional association is mandatory to use the title ''counsellor''.
Additional information
- Mobility to positions in personnel or training is possible.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible through experience.
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