TABLE OF CONTENT
- Chairman's Remarks
- Executive Director's Report
- Grants Approved In 1997
- Continuing Projects 1997
- Grant Summary 1997
ANNUAL REPORT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT
There was an underlying theme to many of the conversations, site visits and meetings with the agencies and organizations approaching The Counselling Foundation of Canada for grants in 1997 – "Information" - the need for information, getting the right information, the most effective use of information and a full spectrum of information management issues. The primary dilemma – allocating the necessary resources to address these concerns while continuing to provide solid Career Counselling programs and services.
Allocating the necessary resources no longer merely translates into purchasing the next generation of personal computers to place upon the desks of career counselling practitioners. Many not- for- profit agencies and organizations are on the cutting edge in the development of technology based assessment tools, client tracking systems and the electronic distribution of labour market information. Career and employment practitioners are integrating the use of technology into their daily activities. An eagerness to develop and demonstrate technology based skills is reflected in the proliferation of technology based sessions at professional conferences and training workshops.
What does appear to be missing in some cases is a sense of "owning" the information and associated technology. Ownership reflected in the strategic and pro-active management of the agency’s and/or organization’s information technology. For many, responding to fulfill accountability and reporting requirements external to the agency and/or organization determine what information is collected and how the information is used.
It is possible to identify a number of initiatives where efforts designed to challenge and re-define the ownership of technology may provide guideposts for those individuals, agencies and/or organizations committed to tackling their information issues strategically. Three specific examples are: CONTACTPOINT, a Canadian Website for Career Counsellors and Practitioners; The Integrated Career Development Practitioner Program, a joint project of Connestoga College, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University; and, Beginning on the Path Program of the Anishinabek Educational Institute .
The characteristics that demonstrate the ownership role of career practitioners in these projects include:
- the
need for the information, the creation of the
information and the subsequent use of the information
are defined by the user – the practitioner. - the
principles of access have been incorporated
throughout the development process with a goal of
ensuring the end product does not present
technological, social, cultural or economic barriers
to existing and potential user.
The difference in project outcomes are significant when employment and career practitioners assume ownership
of the technology they use in their daily activities.
Simple, yet critical, considerations are incorporated
into the management of information technology.
For example:
- Given
not all career practitioners have immediate and consistent access to
the internet, CONTACTPOINT
provides a bi-annual hard copy circulation of its
newsletter to those who may not have access or only occasional access. - Not
all Practitioners wishing to access credited
professional development courses have access to
audio or conferencing capabilities - some may
experience a financial barrier particularly within the
third sector. Connestoga College and the partnering Universities (Guelph, Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier)
have alternative delivery methods and a bursary
program is in place to facilitate access to all practitioners. - Marginalized
groups face major barriers to acquiring information.For some, the information
required is outside traditional data collection systems. The work of
the Anishinabek Institute (Beginning on the Path Project)
will make Career descriptions, skills required and
requisite training for traditional and non-traditional
career opportunities available to First Nation individuals
seeking careers within their own home communities.
Taking ownership of technology is not passive. It is not acting solely as the provider of information as requested. Taking ownership of technology requires action. The three projects mentioned here required individuals to come together with a common agenda – they were not responding – they were leading. Their efforts increased their individual organizational capacities and partnerships developed increased the resources available to all participating in the project.
It has been a year full of opportunities to meet new people and hear about their work and visions. The staff is looking forward to an equally rewarding year ahead.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean E. Faulds
