GrowCD's AI & Career Development Conferences
An Annual AI & Career Development Conference!
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we work, hire, and advise. Career Development Practitioners need to be prepared - to effectively support clients navigating these shifts.
GrowCD has been offering AI & Career Development topics since 2024 however only started a dedicated conference in 2026 the AI & Career Development Conference in February 2026 - next year in 2027 we will cover new trends as well as introduce Agentic AI and how that can impact the workplace and the guidance we provide clients.
Use this page to explore the current conference and revisit past years’ AI topics.
2026 AI & Career Development Conference
This was a 2-Day Conference digging deeper into the Future of Work & Practice Integration
2026 AI & Career Development Conference
Announcing the AI & Career Development Conference!
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we work, hire, and advise. Career Development Practitioners need to be prepared—not only to effectively support clients navigating these shifts but also to integrate AI responsibly within employment programs. Join us for our annual conference as we explore how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world of work and the practice of career development in Canada.
Due to popular demand - we are going to further expand on the AI & Career Development Live Masterclass delivered in October 2025 and turn it into an annual conference! These expanded sessions combines future-focused insights with hands-on frameworks tailored to the Canadian context. Note: Attendees of the October Masterclass are able to attend the full 2026 conference with a 50% discount. Please email GrowCD for special coupon code.
The 2026 AI & Career Development Conference will be on:
Day 1: Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST (=1:00-3:30 PM ET)
Day 2: Thurs, Feb 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST (=1:00-3:30 PM ET)
Cost per person: CAD$95 per day or CAD$180 full conference package for both days.
Conference Perks
- Certificate of Completion included for participants registered for the full conference
- Recorded on Zoom and shared with all registrants after the live session, replay access available for 3 days. Accessible for all time zones!
- Group Rates are available for registrations of 3 people or more. For group bookings, please email info@growcd.ca for assistance.
Day 1: Future of Work - 2.5 Hours
The first day of the conference is designed specifically for Career Practitioners who support jobseekers directly. In this interactive webinar, participants will examine which fields and occupations are forecasted to be most affected by AI, supported by up-to-date projections and statistics that highlight key risks and emerging opportunities. Together, we’ll walk through a practical framework for analyzing jobs and job functions to anticipate how AI automation may transform day-to-day tasks and role expectations. We’ll also explore concrete strategies Career Advisors can use to help clients prepare for disruption, navigate reskilling, and position themselves for new opportunities. New this session, a hands-on practice lab and online breakout discussions will give participants time to apply the framework in real time and leave with tools they can immediately bring back to their work.
Learning Outcomes:
- Explore which fields and occupations are forecasted to be most affected by AI.
- Review projections and statistics that highlight emerging risks and opportunities.
- Learn a Framework on how to analyze jobs to anticipate how AI automation may transform specific job functions and jobs overall.
- Identify strategies to help clients prepare for disruption, reskilling, and new opportunities.
- Hands-on practice lab and online breakout sessions, allowing participants to practice in real time during the session.
Day 2: Practice Integration - 2.5 Hours
In this practical Day 2 session, participants will be introduced to a clear, structured framework for using AI responsibly in government-funded and subsidized employment programs. We’ll map out areas of AI-Open Use, Use With Disclosure, Use With Compliance, and Prohibited Use, then evaluate common program activities to decide which can be AI-Assisted, AI-Integrated, or must remain AI-Free. Along the way, we’ll consider the ethical, compliance, and client trust implications of embedding AI into daily practice, with a focus on protecting vulnerable clients and maintaining program integrity. New this session, a hands-on practice lab and online breakout discussions will allow participants to test and refine their decisions in real time and leave with concrete guidelines they can bring back to their teams.
Learning Outcomes:
- Introduce a structured framework for using AI responsibly in government-funded and subsidized employment programs.
- Identify areas of AI-Open Use, Use With Disclosure, Use With Compliance, and Prohibited Use.
- Evaluate program activities to determine which can be AI-Assisted, AI-Integrated, or must remain AI-Free.
- Consider ethical, compliance, and client trust implications when embedding AI into daily practice.
- Hands-on practice lab and online breakout sessions, allowing participants to practice in real time during the session.
Attendees of the October AI & Career Development Masterclass liked:
- Analyzing the NOC codes using automation, human-led or integration.
- How and when we can incorporate AI use into settlement work, while prefacing that with client consent.
Past in 2025: AI & Career Development Live Masterclass
The Future of Work and Practice Integration
Fri, Oct 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM PST (=1:00-3:30 PM ET) at CAD$90 per person.
- Certificate of Completion included
- RECORDED ON ZOOM and shared with all registrants after the live session, REPLAY ACCESS available for 3 days until Monday, October 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST. Accessible for all time zones!
- GROUP RATES are available for registrations of 3 people or more. For group bookings, please email info@growcd.ca for assistance.
Future Outlook Webinar
2024: How Generative AI Has Changed the Role of Career Practitioners - Fri, Dec 6, 2024
"Future Outlook: How Generative AI Has Changed the Role of Career Practitioners"
As technology continues to advance, the role of career practitioners is evolving to meet the changing needs and expectations of clients, as well as those of their potential employers. This session will delve into the new dynamics of client interaction and explore how AI is reshaping hiring processes used by employers and recruiters. We will focus on the client audiences that will continue to access government-funded employment services, even as AI begins to assist some of the clients traditionally served by career practitioners. Participants will gain insights into essential skills that remain crucial, along with practical strategies to help career practitioners adapt to the evolving hiring landscape. By the end of this webinar, attendees will be better equipped to navigate the future of career counseling in an increasingly AI-driven world.
With high caseloads and multiple responsibilities, Career Advisors need to maximize time with clients by focusing on the key activities and strategies that will make a difference 2025!
What to Expect:
- Find out what Canadian HR Professionals think about AI being used by candidates for job search (Feedback from CPHR BC & Yukon)
- Understand how to adapt career services as recruiters and employers revise their approach to hiring due to AI used in job search
- Discover new client dynamics and which audiences continue to rely on government-funded employment services
- Gain practical strategies to navigate and thrive in an AI-driven landscape
Feedback from participants about the LIVE webinar on Dec 6, 2024:
⭐ Learnt more than what I expected.
⭐ Thank you; it was very informative and thought-provoking.
⭐ Thanks for the valuable information, Wanda.
⭐ This has been an excellent session, Wanda. Thank you so much.
Past in 2024: AI's Impact on the Career Development Field
CDS 2024 AI-Related Topics
There were 3 topics available during CDS 2024 related to AI in 2024: Ethical Considerations & Implications of Using AI for Career Development Practitioners; Practical Uses of AI For Career Development Practitioners & Career Advisors; & How Clients Can Use AI & ChatGPT for Job Search. Course descriptions are detailed below.
Note: These were a series of skill-upgrading webinars, i.e., career advisor training. They offer practical ready-to-use knowledge that provides real-world applicability and key practical career advising tools that can enhance effectiveness in assisting clients or students. Handouts were provided.
Past Topic 2024: Ethical Considerations & Implications of Using AI for Career Development Practition
Join us for an insightful webinar delving into the ethical considerations and implications of utilizing Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in career development practices. This session will explore the intersection of AI technology and ethical decision-making within the context of career counselling. Led by a seasoned Career Advisor with extensive experience in government-funded employment programs and private colleges, this 1-hour session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how AI is reshaping the field of career development, examining both its potential benefits and inherent risks. Through researched content and practical examples, attendees will learn strategies for integrating ethical frameworks into their AI-driven practices, ensuring responsible and empathetic guidance for clients navigating the complexities of the modern job market.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain a foundational and nuanced understanding of Generative and Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its mechanisms and extensive applications in career development.
- Delve into ethical principles and frameworks relevant to the integration of AI technology in career counseling, fostering a deep appreciation for ethical decision-making in practice.
- Learn to identify and manage ethical issues associated with the use of Generative AI, ensuring adherence to legal and moral guidelines.
- Understand the benefits and limitations of AI and explore how this technology shapes the future of career development.
- Recognize the unique advantages that human advisors hold over AI in delivering personalized and nuanced career guidance.
Past Topic 2024: Practical Uses of AI For Career Development Practitioners & Career Advisors
This session highlights practical applications for both career advisors and program managers, teaches you how to craft effective prompts specifically useful for Career Practitioners working with clients and compares the functionalities of ChatGPT's free and paid versions. Through examples and case studies, you'll gain the knowledge and skills to leverage AI responsibly and effectively in your career development practices.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discover practical applications of AI for Career Advisors and Program Managers, besides resume development and interview preparation, for improved service delivery and decision-making.
- Learn how to create clear prompts specifically useful for Career Practitioners working with clients to obtain accurate and relevant information from AI tools.
- Differentiate between ChatGPT's free and paid versions, understanding their features, capabilities, and cost implications.
Past Topic 2024: How Clients Can Use AI & ChatGPT for Job Search
Discover the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing the job search process in this engaging workshop tailored for clients of career advisors within government-funded employment programs and international college students attending private colleges. By thoroughly understanding Generative AI and its applications, career advisors can provide informed, practical guidance to their clients, enhancing their job search strategies while mitigating potential risks.
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop the skills to advise clients on the responsible use of AI and ChatGPT
- Provide clear guidelines and best practices to ensure that clients use these technologies in a manner that enhances their job search efforts.
- Learn how to effectively incorporate AI and ChatGPT tools into clients' job search strategies, maximizing the benefits of these technologies while minimizing potential risks.
General Testimonials
"Great content, the facilitator provided experiential examples."
"This is possibly the best webinar I've been in. So informative, very insightful. Thank you Wanda!"
"The most important part I wasn't feeling bored. The presenter shared the information with knowledge and LOVE to share :) "
"A well-researched workshop"
"Wanda has an enthusiastic, streamlined and fun approach to her training sessions! You always walk away having learned something new."
“Wanda, your presentation was professional, well presented, well planned, well timed and something for everyone to learn. Thank you.”