This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar for 2008-2009 (SPRING) and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the
Calendar for updated information.
Career Practitioner Training
Career Development and Helping Skills
Students will study, explore and discuss the various career development and career counselling theories. They will practise applying these concepts to client cases to understand the client's career development process and facilitate the client to develop a career plan. Students will identify the stages of the helping process and practise basic helping skills such as rapport building, active listening, and analyzing clients' vocational needs, strengths and barriers. They will explore many topics including the roles of a career practitioner, the code of ethics, unemployment and employment service models. Students will attend a two-day case management workshop.
Career Planning and Assessment
Students will examine the career planning process and learn the roles of assessment in this process. They will explore and discuss the various types of instruments used in vocational assessments including formal and informal assessments. Students will learn how to select appropriate instruments,administer, score, interpret and apply test results. They will practise applying assessments such as Self-Directed Search™, Career Ocupational Preference System™ and Card Sorts to clients. They will also attend a three-day Personality Dimensions™ Level One Training Workshop to be certified as a Level One Trainer.
Information and Computer Research
Students will study various kinds of information related to career planning including job classification systems, labour market, training and financial information. They will learn to obtain these types of information from various sources such as libraries, books, the Internet and from information interviews. Students will practise in the computer lab, searching for information as well as studying some computer-assisted career guidance system programs such as Career Cruising™ and TypeFocus™. They will also examine current labour market shifts and the implications for clients.
Employment and Job Search Skills
Students will learn the whole set of employment and job search skills, which includes writing resumes and cover letters, job interviews and job search skills. They will learn to write professional resumes and cover letters of various kinds according to client's employment background and employment goals. Students will explore and practise high-impact job interview skills including panel interviews. They will learn to write a job-hunting profile and examine different types of job search strategies such as attending job fairs and using recruiting services. Students will also participate in an e-resume workshop and practise in the computer lab.
Group Facilitation and Job Finding
Students will examine the different stages of group development. They will explore group dynamics and will learn skills in forming, facilitating and maintaining groups. Students will learn basic techniques in utilizing group process for career development activities. They will also attend a five-day workshop to be trained as Certified Job Finding Club Facilitators, so that they can lead job clubs according to the Azrin model or modified job clubs.
CPRA 1025 cr-2
Practicum I
Students will gain hands-on experience during a two-week (full time) work placement in the career development field. They will, under the supervision of the program coordinator and an on-site supervisor, practise skills and apply theories while performing the duties as a career practitioner at the worksite. Students will consolidate their learning by participating in a seminar to discuss their practicum issues.
Prerequisites:CPRA 1005 and 1010 and 1015 and 1020 and 1030
Job Development and Diverse Groups
Students will examine the concepts of job development and monitoring. They will learn the skills of developing client job opportunities such as researching labour market, conducting cold calls and visits. Students will also identify the various components of providing a job development service and the key elements for its success. In addition, students will explore the vocational needs of various specific groups such as at-risk youth, immigrants, Aboriginals and persons with disabilities. Students will acquire skills and resources in providing vocational services to those groups.
Program Development, Resources Management and Learning Facilitation
Students will study the concept of program management and the components of program design, promotion and implementation. They will study and discuss the Blueprint for Life/Work Designs. Students will examine adult learning styles and develop basic skills in facilitating adult learning. They will learn to establish and operate a resource centre. Students will learn methods of organizing and accessing information in vocational settings. Students will also participate in a Contact IV workshop and a self-employment workshop.
Practicum II
Students will integrate and apply theoretical concepts while performing duties in an employment service agency. They will identify their roles and responsibilities as career practitioners in the workplace, and will develop effective working relationships with clients and agency staff. Students will study the agency programs from micro and macro perspectives. They will consolidate their learning by participating in a seminar to discuss their practicum issues.
Prerequisites: CPRA 1005 and 1010 and 1015 and 1020 and 1025 and 1030 and 1035