Our Purpose
The Standards Council serves as the national voice advancing Canada’s professional standards, including:
- The Pan-Canadian Competency Framework for Career Development Professionals
- The National Competency Profile
- The Code of Ethics for Career Development Professionals
- The national competency-based Career Certification Program
We work collaboratively with the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), the Nova Scotia Career Development Association (NSCDA) as the national certification service provider, and the wider sector to ensure these tools remain relevant, accessible, and reflective of the field’s evolving practice.
What We do
The Standards Council acts as a steward, connector, and catalyst for national professionalization. Our work includes:
- Sector Consultation & Representation
We consult with associations, educators, employers, CDPs, and other interest holders to ensure that national standards reflect diverse perspectives, lived/living experiences, and emerging sectoral needs.
- Guidance on Standards & Certification
We provide expert advice to CCDF and the national certification provider (NSCDA) on the maintenance, use, and evolution of the Competency Framework, Code of Ethics, and certification practices. We identify urgent updates and longer-term improvement needs.
- Promotion of Professionalism & Sector Capacity
We champion certification, professional development, and professional identity across Canada—supporting employers, educators, governments, and CDPs in strengthening the profession.
- Collaboration for Sector Strengthening
The Council fosters creative partnerships and collaboration to support coherence, innovation, and shared ownership of national professional standards across Canada.
