The Canadian Career Information Association (CCIA) was formed in 1975. It brings together individuals who share a common interest in the development, distribution and use of career resources.
CCIA promotes excellence in career information by:
- sharing information about new and current resources
- defining the function of career information within the career development process
- promoting the development and the effective delivery of Canadian career information
- providing professional development workshops
- partnering with other organizations concerned with career information.
History of CCIA
In 1975, seven career information practitioners working in a variety of educational settings met and formed CIRAG, the Career Information Advisory Group. They saw a need for such an association in order to establish a network of peers with whom they could discuss professional concerns, find contacts outside their parent organizations and develop a means of exchanging information about career practices, world of work trends and career resources.
The Canadian Career Information Association is the culmination of CIRAG’s endeavours. It is a volunteer organization of members from across Canada who work in the field of career information. They come from many different settings, such as educational institutions (at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels), libraries, businesses, government and community organizations, students enrolled in career counselling/career information programs, as well as private practitioners in the field of career development.
Members meet for professional development meetings each year, which include information sharing of career resources, as well as a professional development component. They can also volunteer their time and expertise to participate in ongoing committees, special projects, or presentations at workshops and conferences. CCIA also has a LinkedIn group which enables members to network and to communicate with each other rapidly, economically and effectively. CCIA has taken a leadership role in advocating for the development of high quality Canadian career information and in helping to provide the basic requirements for producing these.