Learning Opportunities
CDPOntario is a dynamic Community of Practice dedicated to strengthening, connecting, and supporting individuals working in the field of career development across Ontario. It fosters a safe, collegial environment where CCDP®s, CDPs, and other career practitioners can enhance their professional practice, exchange knowledge, build confidence, and cultivate a strong professional identity through collaboration, reflection, and shared expertise.
CDPOntario offers a diverse range of learning opportunities designed to meet the evolving needs of career development professionals. These include formal training programs, regularly scheduled Lunch & Learn webinars led by subject matter experts, sessions on emerging and “hot” topics offered during and beyond standard working hours, and interactive online discussions. These forums provide valuable opportunities for practitioners to share insights, raise questions, and receive peer support from colleagues across Ontario and beyond.
While the formal training offerings do have a fee the Community of Practice informal webinars a free to attend. As offerings are continually updated, visitors are encouraged to check this page regularly for the latest learning opportunities.
Note: As the website continues to evolve, a comprehensive events calendar will be introduced, featuring both CDPOntario programming and relevant events from partner organizations.
Community of Practice Informal Learning
CDP Practice Matters
CDP Practice Matters, hosted by Bella Doswell and Nava Jakubovicz, is open to all career practitioners in Ontario. This monthly lunch and learn webinar that takes place the third Thursday of the month during the noon hour from September through June. We are grateful to have two fantastic CDPs that volunteer their time and effort to bring topics of interest to CDPs that want to stay connected and informed.
Bella Doswell CCDP®, RCDP is a Canada-certified and UK-registered Career Transition & Talent Development Coach, Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner, and Co-Creator of the global #SoMuchMoreThanTalkingAboutJobs CDP advocacy campaign. With 20 years of international experience supporting professionals across sectors and seniority levels, she brings deep expertise in career development theory, change psychology, psychometrics, and evidence-based practice to the CDP community.
Nava Jakubovicz has been helping people better understand themselves, appreciate their strengths, their values and what really matters to them for over 25 years. She brings training in applied psychology, assessment, counselling, holistic narrative career, as well as experience as a Psycho-educational/Psycho-vocational Consultant, Career Counsellor, and as a Senior Manager in a Social Service agency.
Upcoming dates and topics:
Thursday May 21 - Open Discussion: What's Keeping You Curious or Awake? Emerging trends, ethical dilemmas, AI questions, system frustrations - all welcome.
Thursday June 18 - Presenter- Ruchita Malik - Principal Project Manager, spearheading critical regulatory initiatives for top-tier banks in Canada.
“Real Stories from a Newcomer”: What I Wish CDPs Knew About Newcomers.
Having successfully navigated the Canadian employment landscape upon arriving 5 years ago, Ruchita now shares her experiences by guiding new immigrants through the complexities of the Canadian job market as a volunteer mentor.
Calling for Speakers - If you would like to present or lead/facilitate a specific discussion relevant to CDPs, please get in touch with your hosts Bella or Nava
Bella Doswell - bella@bdcareerservices.com
Nava Jakubovicz - navajakubovicz@rogers.com
Thank you to all our presenters so far this year - this is what makes for a supportive Community of Practice. FYI - No meetings in July and August but we will be publishing information regarding the fall sessions as they are confirmed.
CDPOntario Talks
CDPOntario Talks will be free live webinars / online learning opportunities that will be hosted by CDPOntario on a variety of topics that Ontario CDPs have indicated they would like to hear about. Some of the sessions will be one hour Lunch and Learns scheduled over the noon hour while others will be Professional Development After 5 which will be offered after work hours and may be 60 - 90 minutes in length.
Upcoming dates and topics:
Tuesday May 26, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM EDT (1.5 hours) – Professional Development After 5
Maintaining your CCDP designation/Professional Development
Learn directly from Career Certification’s Registrar, Lindsay Guitard, everything you need to know about maintaining your national CCDP designation. Lindsay will have a prepared presentation followed by the opportunity for participants to ask questions.
Tuesday June 16, 2026 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT (1 hour) – Lunch and Learn
How to become a CCDP
Are you considering becoming a national certified Career Development Professional (CCDP) but don’t know where to start? Do you have questions about the process of becoming a CCDP under the national program? CDPOntario is excited to host Career Certification, Canada’s national career development certifying body, during this lunch and learn. We welcome all Ontario CDPs to this opportunity to learn directly from the source and have their questions about certification answered.
Professional Development Training
These courses will help in your preparation for successful completion of the exam and interview of the national CCDP® Certification process and are directly related to the National Competency Profile for Career Development Professionals. and Code of Ethics for Career Development Professionals
Registration is limited to a maximum of 12 participants for online courses. Registration will be open approximately 4 to 8 weeks in advance. In addition, we welcome organizations to work with us to establish a session exclusively for their team or for a specific date convenient to them. Sessions will have a minimum of 8 participants; therefore, if an organization wishes to host a session, they may need to invite or accept participants from the broader community.
Note: If you would like to be placed on a wait list for CCDPⓇ beyond available dates, please notify us at training@cdpontario.org
Career Development Theory
This course provides an introduction to and overview of some of the major schools of thought in career development and transition theories. It is not a comprehensive course in the theories used in career development practice and transition but will provide a foundation/framework for practitioners to use when interacting with clients.