Careers in the Social and Community Service Industry

Speaker: Nancy Yang, Settlement Practitioner

Immigrant Settlement and Integration Program (ISIP)
Richmond Service Center, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
2023
 Agenda
• This workshop will help you to better
understand:
‒ Social and Community Service occupations and
labor market outlook （ Overview ）
‒ Education and skills requirements
‒ Available resources

SOURCES: NOC2021; Vancouver Public Library;

WorkBC
 Overview
– The Health Care and Social Assistance industry
includes services that provide health care, residential
care for medical or social reasons, and social
assistance.
– Social assistance includes services such as child
protection, home care, welfare, counselling, social
housing and food services, and child care.
– Health Care and Social Assistance is one of B.C.’s
largest employers.
– This industry has a low unemployment rate and tends
to be immune from economic fluctuations.
 Overview
– Social and community service workers administer
and implement a variety of social assistance
programs and community services, and assist
clients to deal with personal and social problems.
– They are usually employed by social service and
government agencies, mental health agencies,
group homes, shelters, school boards, correctional
facilities and other establishments.
Overview
 Overview
NOC 4
- Occupations in education, law and social, communi
ty and
government services
 Overview

– Social and community service professionals 4130

– Educational and employment counsellors 4132

– Paraprofessional
occupations in legal, social, community and educat
ion
services 4220
 Social and community service professionals

• Social workers

• Therapists
in counselling and related specialized therapies
Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and
education services

• Social and community service workers

• Early childhood educators and assistants
• Instructors of persons with disabilities
Social and community service workers

Social and community service workers set up

and manage a variety of social assistance
programs and community services.
 Social and community service workers

• Social and community service workers are needed in a

variety of settings. They may work in residential or
group homes, transition houses or drop-in or overnight
shelters. Community service workers often do outreach
work in the community. They may visit clients, take
clients on trips, or attend meetings with service
providers.
• This type of work can be very satisfying. At the same
time, it can be emotionally draining. Understaffing and
lack of equipment can add to the pressure.
Social and community service workers
• Aboriginal outreach officer
• Addictions worker
• Assistant / case aide, social services
• Coach / instructor, life skills
• Community counsellor - crisis intervention
• Community worker - liaison / mental health
• Co-ordinator, Aboriginal centre
• Counsellor, residential
• Disability management
• Eligibility coordinator, social assistance
• Neighbourhood worker - social services
• Settlement worker - community services
• Social assistance - financial
• Social service - registered
• Social service - youth development
• Support - disabilities
• Technician, special education
• Welfare and compensation
• Worker / co-ordinator, transition housing
 Social and community service workers

• This is a broad career with many expected future

openings. New positions will involve caring for the
growing elderly population as well as for pregnant
teens, the homeless, and people with psychiatric or
developmental disabilities or substance use problems.
Growth is also expected in outreach and community
development with First Nations, especially in
rehabilitation and for youth.

• Job opportunities are expected to be highest in job-

training programs, residential care facilities and non-
governmental social service agencies.
 Social and community service workers
Education & Training

– Social and community service workers have usually

completed a college or university program in social
work, child and youth care, counselling or another
social science or health-related discipline. The length
of the program depends on the area of study.

– Graduates with work experience in a social service

environment are preferred. This can include
volunteering, internship, mentorship or internal
training programs. In some cases, experience may
replace formal education requirements.
Social and community service workers
Education & Training
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
– Teacher Assistant/Aide
– Health/Medical - General
– Child/Youth Care Work
– Criminal Justice/Criminology
– Human/Social Service Work
– Human Services - General
– Social Work
– Psychology (Arts)
– Sociology
– Women's and Gender Studies
– Psychology (Science)
– Criminology/Criminal Justice
– Substance Abuse/Addiction Counselling
Social and community service workers
Education & Training
You may want to consider upgrading your skills to increase your
employment options in this field.

https://www.educationplannerbc.ca/search/noc/4212
StrongerBC future skills grant

– SFU: Counselling and Human Development Diploma

– Douglas College: Career Development Practice Programs
– University of the Fraser Valley: Community Support Worker Certificate
– Langara College: Social Service Worker Certificate / Diploma
– Vancouver Community College: Counselling Skills Certificate
 Resources: Volunteering

Volunteering can help you to explore a new career

and learn more about the social services system in
BC. You will meet new people and build a network
of contacts that can lead to information on job
openings and inside connections with potential
employers.
www.govolunteer.ca
 Resources: Job Posting

Charity Village
www.charityvillage.com
Community Social Services Employers' Association
of BC
www.cssea.bc.ca
The Federation of Community Social Services of BC
www.fcssbc.ca
Questions?
Need more information and support?
Nancy.yang@success.bc.ca
Phone: 604-330-5708, 604-279-7180
 Disclaimer
The information in this glossary, webinar and any other
supporting documents is intended to provide you with
general settlement information. While every effort has
been made to offer current and accurate information,
laws and regulations may change over time.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’ Immigrant Settlement and Integration
Program (ISIP) disclaims all liability and responsibility for
any errors or omissions in the content contained in this
glossary, webinar and any other supporting documents;
this information should not be considered legal advice.