About Us

The mission of the Private Career Development Contractors Association of Alberta is to provide a platform for the education and employment training sector to share information, best practices, and develop solutions to common issues and challenges.

PCDC was first discussed by a group of community-based service providers in 2000. We were then a loose group of professionals, all holding Provincially and Federally funded projects, and open to sharing our commonalities in the work we had chosen to do for unemployed Albertans. We explored the benefits of the work that we do, and the current challenges. We gently explored our levels of trust, and our ability to openly share our experiences and information with each other while recognizing the competitive nature of our business i.e. the RfP process. We examined the pros and cons of working together over time, and the potential to improve services for clients. During this process, we realized that each of us had an excellent relationship with our contract stakeholders, that there was a comfort zone for each of us to speak independently with the various government representatives, but that sometimes the challenges that we experience were too big to deal with by one company alone.

It was at that time that we formally decided to work together and in 2006 the Private Career Development Contractors Association of Alberta (PCDC) was incorporated, ensuring that PCDC has a defined structure, that our mission, vision, goals, and objectives were transparent to members and government officials alike, and that we were recognized as a legal provincial entity.

Objectives

The Objectives of the Private Career Development Contractors Association of Alberta are:

  1. To assist its members to maintain excellence in training and support services in Alberta
  2. To provide a provincial forum to identify emerging needs in career development, community-based training, and employment services
  3. To advocate the government regarding issues identified by members and their clients, in order to enhance and improve services
  4. To work in collaboration with government and industry to meet labour market needs and client’s employment needs
  5. To identify common interests and collaborate with other members of the society in addressing common interests
  6. To identify and address common issues in providing employment services
  7. To support the development of standards of quality in employment services
  8. To share information on best practices

Local Councils

PCDC is a provincial association that is comprised of three local councils in the Calgary, Edmonton, and Central Alberta regions. Each local council meets as PCDC members for their respective areas; typically on a monthly basis. Local discussions and focus vary from region to region based on the membership of each group and the variation of Alberta Works contracts. Challenges that are identified at the local level are shared through the provincial board meetings to explore whether these are mutually experienced across the regions. If so then these can be brought forward for provincial representation on behalf of PCDC members. If challenges are local in focus then regional groups look to seek solutions with local government stakeholders. A number of local projects are also coordinated through the regional councils; including the Connections events and joint forums with government. The Council Chairs of the three local groups act as provincial board members; along with other members at large.

2023-2024 Provincial Board of Directors

Jolene Van Vliet, Employment Placement and Support Services

Chris Thomas, Talent Pool, Provincial Chair, Provincial Treasurer

Jill Dean, Careers in Transition

Debbie Green, Bredin Centre for Career Advancement

Kevin McNichol, Prospect Human Services, Provincial Vice-Chair, Provincial Secretary

Jason Loewer, EmployAbilities

Donna Hall, Academic Express

Steve McGean, BGS Career Ventures