Transition to a New Tomorrow

As economies and the world of work transform, career changes are becoming much more crucial for workers, particularly in the oil and gas sector in Alberta. Many professionals in that sector need to pivot careers but for mid-career workers there is a lot of stigma and confidence issues that create obstacles for many considering a change.

Colleges like Edmonton’s Norquest College can play an important role in retraining efforts and its “Career Moves” program was designed and tested to meet the needs and sensitivities of mid-career workers in many industries to help foster successful career transitions.

The Career Moves program explored various career counselling and soft skills development approaches, divided into three phases:

  1. professional exploration: reflecting on mid-career workers’ skills and interests;
  2. professional development: receiving the skills training they need; and
  3. professional reflection: understanding professional development options.
Photo of an individual looking at an oil rig.

The services included activities like seminars, coaching, work-integrated learning and peer support. The program also ensured it was accessible for a variety of equity-seeking demographic groups.

The training was customized to the individual needs of participants, who completed it at their own pace. According to post-project evaluations, participants indicated high rates of satisfaction with clear quantitative improvements in their employment outcomes, such as increased rates of employment and earning comparing pre- and post-training periods.

While the project was aimed at workers in the oil and gas industry, it ended up attracting fewer workers in that sector than originally intended (7% of participants) but more women (62%) and mid-career workers (with an average age of 45) in other fields.

With the number of vulnerable mid-career workers rising, demand for responsive mid-career skills training programs like Career Moves is likely to expand in the years ahead. Crafting a skills training curriculum better tailored to the sensitivities of mid-career workers and which goes beyond technical skills to tackle social/soft skills and psychological issues as well, may be needed to service the needs of this particular demographic.

Featured Projects

Shot of a businesswoman having a meeting with her colleague while using a digital tablet.
Project

Work in Manitoba

This project sought to address the challenges employers in the province were facing in connecting with the right talent and having to navigate multiple recruitment platforms with no guarantee that postings would reach qualified candidates.
A young indigenous woman in a library.
Project

Indigenous ICT Development Centre

This project investigated the potential benefits of establishing an Indigenous ICT Development Centre to offer ICT services and training within local communities.
Young business people working at office on a new project.
Project

Advanced Digital and Professional Training (AdaPT)

The Advanced Digital and Professional Training (ADaPT) program is a sector-based training initiative designed to address the disconnect between the skills of postsecondary graduates and the needs of the IT sector.