Career Development Courses & Training
Why Choose Grow Career Development (GrowCD)? | Flexible Online Learning
At Grow Career Development, we are committed to providing exceptional online learning experiences that empower Career Advisors, Youth Workers, Settlement Counsellors and Career Development Professionals CDP to achieve their career goals. Our platform offers interesting and flexible career development training taught by an experienced award-winning Career Development Educator. Join our community today and start your journey to success!
GrowCD courses are focused on skill upgrading. They offer practical ready-to-use knowledge. Each course is focused on providing real-world applicability and key practical career advising tools that can enhance effectiveness in assisting clients or students.
Above photo by Brooke Cangle on Unsplash.
Live Sessions or Video Lectures
Live Sessions or Video Lectures
Live Sessions or Video Lectures
This Career Development Training is online with live sessions or video-based on-demand lectures to make the courses more fun, interesting & interactive. This type of career advisor training is unique and is not commonly available.
Companion Reference Guides
Live Sessions or Video Lectures
Live Sessions or Video Lectures
Download a reference guide for each course to have a framework to keep & review later.
Learn Anywhere You Are
Live Sessions or Video Lectures
Learn Anywhere You Are
Fit in learning anywhere you are, on your lunch break or while you're out at a coffee shop, by logging in on your phone or other mobile device.
Career Advisor Training
Career Advising Essentials Course (Part I & II)
These webinars will cover basic to intermediate career advising skills as taught in full-time Career Development Certificate programs and government-funded employment programs in BC.
About this course:
- This Career Development Training is meant to elevate practical career advising skills and open new career opportunities.
- Best for people interested in becoming a Career Advisor in a government or social services setting; new Career Advisors entering the field; current Career Advisors without formal Career Development education; Administrative Professionals working in employment offices wanting to transition into an advising role.
- The course is a package that includes registration for the 2 X 2.5-hour online webinars: Career Advising Essentials I & II.
- Completing both Career Advising Essentials I & II will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from GrowCD.
- Small Class Size - Limited Space | Available on Fridays
Career Advising Essentials Course (Part I & II = 5 hours) - Next offered in September 2025!
CDS Career Development Skills Conference
CDS 2025 Career Development Skills Conference
Early Bird Rates Are Available Now until Apr 15, 2025!
This is a series of six 1-hour webinars for Career Development Practitioners hosted over the summer when most government-funded employment programs are less busy.
Summer CDS 2025 Focus: Digital Career Counselling (Technology & Tools)
On-Demand Pre-Recorded Webinars
Future Outlook Webinar
"Future Outlook: How Generative AI Has Changed the Role of Career Practitioners" is now available On-Demand on Teachable.
Conversational English Classes Online
Workplace Conversational English (CLB 5-7)
Best for:
- Newcomers to Canada who need practical, everyday speaking skills in the workplace.
- Employees in entry- to mid-level jobs who need to improve fluency, confidence, and clarity.
Email info@growcd.ca for more information.
Business Conversational English (CLB 7+)
Best for:
- Skilled professionals, managers, and business owners who need higher-level workplace communication.
- Individuals preparing for business meetings, networking, and leadership roles.
Email info@growcd.ca for more information.
Future Outlook Webinars
Future Outlook: How Generative AI Has Changed the Role of Career Practitioners - Dec 6, 2024
"Future Outlook: How Generative AI Has Changed the Role of Career Practitioners" is now available On-Demand on Teachable. See below.
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.
About Grow Career Development (GrowCD)
Empowering Career Development Practitioners
Grow Career Development (GrowCD) was founded by Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette to provide interesting, practical and flexible professional development options for Career Advisors, CDPs, Settlement Counsellors and others interested in career development coaching.
GrowCD continuously collaborates with leading organizations and institutions to expand its range of topics and provide the latest industry insights. Stay tuned for regular updates as we bring you fresh and relevant content to fuel your career development journey.
Advocate for Professional Growth
Led by Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette, CCDP, an esteemed Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) based in British Columbia, this webinar series is guided by over 15 years of her rich experience in government-funded employment programs and colleges. Wanda specializes in empowering various demographics, including skilled newcomers to Canada, international college students, individuals with physical disabilities, youth facing barriers, survivors of violence/trauma, and executives, to secure meaningful employment opportunities across British Columbia.
Wanda's dedication to excellence is underscored by her completion of the Career Development Practice Certificate at Douglas College in Vancouver. Committed to staying at the forefront of her field, she diligently upgrades her skills to remain abreast of current trends and industry insights. Her expertise is widely recognized, as evidenced by her regular presentations on career development topics at provincial and national conferences in Canada, including BCCDA CDC & CANNEXUS. Furthermore, Wanda is a valued contributor to prominent platforms such as the Canadian Immigrant website, Charity Village, and CareerWise by CERIC, where she shares her knowledge through insightful articles on career advancement and job search strategies.
For those eager to learn more about Wanda's expertise and connect with her directly, please feel free to visit her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/wandakp.
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!"
“Wanda, your presentation was professional, well presented, well planned, well timed and something for everyone to learn. Thank you.”
"I thought I wanted to learn mostly about how to use AI to decrease the time admin tasks take, but in listening to Wanda, I realized that there were many other applications that I had not considered."
"Wanda gave concrete examples of new and effective ways to use ChatGPT"
"All of the tips provided were very practical things I could start right now. The links to the ChatGPT conversations were helpful to show me how to use it for this!"
"The most important part I wasn't feeling bored. The presenter shared the information with knowledge and LOVE to share :) "
"Really enjoyed your session at Cannexus; it was very informative and relevant. I love your advice, too. Let's chat more!" (via LinkedIn messaging)
"I just participated in the session you lead on Cannexus. Thank you and great job in the webinar! Very interesting tips! Very often our clients have questions about salary negotiation. As an immigrant myself. I understand that can be tricky and today's webinar opened my mind to how this can be approached." (via LinkedIn messaging)
"I had the privilege to attend a live online workshop presented by Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette, CCDP about Salary Negotiation. This very informative workshop, allowed me to grasp new ideas that I can apply in my personal and professional life." (full review on LinkedIn)
"Many times, job maintenance affects workers as they fear asking for what they need. This workshop is very helpful for coaching clients."
"Attended today's session of salary negotiation it was so amazing. Loved the way you being honest with a group of strangers, you know I do that when I am facilitating and my clients get more connected with me and they too share their personal experiences" (via LinkedIn messaging)
"I thoroughly enjoyed your session on salary negotiation." (via LinkedIn messaging)
"The way she transmits her knowledge is fun!" Co-op College International Student
"The teacher tells us her funny stories and we can learn the concepts with them." Co-op College International Student
Past Online Courses
Ethical Considerations & Implications of Using AI for CD Practitioners
Practical Uses of AI For Career Development Practitioners & Career Advisors
Fri, June 28, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST
This session delved into the transformative impact of generative AI in the career development field.
Practical Uses of AI For Career Development Practitioners & Career Advisors
Practical Uses of AI For Career Development Practitioners & Career Advisors
Fri, July 12, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST
This session highlighted practical applications for both career advisors and program managers.
Coaching International Clients About Salary Negotiation in Canada
Fri, July 5, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST Equipped Career Advisors working with International Clients, with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively prepare their clients for salary negotiation in the Canadian job market.
Preparing International Clients to Pass Probation in Canada
Fri, July 19, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST
Provided Career Advisors working with International Clients with strategies to effectively assist their clients in thriving during the probationary period within Canadian workplaces.
Salary Negotiation 101| Aug 18: 1-4 PM PST
Fri, August 18, 2023 - 1-4 PM PST
This 3-hour online workshop covers basic to intermediate salary and benefits negotiation information and strategies.
Salary Negotiation 101| Aug 25: 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
Fri, August 25, 2023 - 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM PST
This 3-hour online workshop covers basic to intermediate salary and benefits negotiation information and strategies.
Past Online Appearances
Leveraging AI for Career Advancement in Nonprofits Webinar
May 9, 2024, CharityVillage LIVE Webinar
706 attendees! Explored innovative ways to unlock the potential of AI in propelling careers within the nonprofit sector.
Virtual Session "Coaching Clients on Salary Negotiation"
Jan 29, 2024, CANNEXUS24 by CERIC Canada’s Largest Bilingual Career Development Conference. This 30-minute on-demand pre-recorded virtual session covers ways to prepare our clients for salary negotiation as well as strategies related to the current economic climate..
Speaking LIVE at the 2023 Career Development Conference
May 30, 2023 BCCDA CDC Web Conference
1-hour Webinar to explore 8 Self-Employment Options for Career Development Development Practitioners at the 2023 Career Development Conference
LIVE 3-Hr Coaching Clients on Salary Negotiation Workshop
Fri, Dec 2, 2022 - 1 to 4 PM PST
Explores salary negotiation at 3 key stages of employment i.e., at the interview (pre-employment), while employed for salary increases (during employment) and ‘last resort’ salary negotiation with employer before deciding to seek other employment (pre-departure).
LIVE 'Innovative & Effective Strategies for Coaching Clients on Salary Negotiation' Webinar
LIVE 'Innovative & Effective Strategies for Coaching Clients on Salary Negotiation' Webinar
May 3, 2022, BCCDA CDC Web Conference
A 1.5-hour webinar about salary negotiation techniques with 139 attendees and 16 questions answered during the session
LIVE Practical Marketing Tips for Government-funded Employment Programs
LIVE 'Innovative & Effective Strategies for Coaching Clients on Salary Negotiation' Webinar
April 14, 2021, BCCDA Webinar
A 1-hour webinar during the pandemic about Practical Marketing Tips for Government-funded Employment Programs featured on the BCCDA website with 79 attendees.
Career Development Content & Articles
Article Featured in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Article Featured in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Article Featured in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Tues, Apr 11, 2023
Check out my article in the latest April 2023 edition of the Canadian Immigrant magazine about successfully passing the work probationary period "You've landed your first job in Canada, what next?"
Article on the Charity Village Website
Article Featured in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Article Featured in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Wed, Sep 7, 2022
People often think that those who work in nonprofit organizations are not able to earn comfortable living wages. This is not true. The recognition of skills and employee experience still applies here. Salary negotiation can happen anywhere, nonprofit organizations included.
Article on the CareerWise by CERIC Website
Article Featured in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine
Article on the CareerWise by CERIC Website
Tues, July 12, 2022
When there is a high demand for skilled workers, such as during the current major labour shortage, skilled job applicants can happily flex their salary negotiation muscles. However, while it is an accepted practice for people to negotiate their salaries upon hiring, statistics show that very few people do it in Canada.