Professional Growth

Continuous learning is an important part of the work we do at Industry Canada. Employees are provided with many opportunities for learning and development. From hosting prominent guest speakers to offering comprehensive career development programs with opportunities for advancement, we invest in our employees' personal and professional growth.

Personal Learning Plans

As an employee, you will have the opportunity to develop a learning plan that outlines the formal and informal development activities you would like to participate in. Your manager will help you develop this plan and provide support, through training time and resources to help you achieve your objectives. Your learning plan will help you and your manager identify the development activities necessary to meeting your personal and professional goals as well as the needs of the Department.

Career Development Programs

Commerce (CO) Development Program

The CO Development Program is open to external candidates as well as employees occupying a CO-01 position within the Competition Bureau. Over a 24 month period, the program ensures that individuals acquire the training and competencies needed to perform at the CO-01 and CO-02 levels.

Economics (EC) Career Progression Program

Industry Canada's Strategic Policy Sector recently started a Career Progression Program for policy analysts within the ES category (economics, sociology and statistics). This program provides employees with the opportunity to advance from the ES-02 to ES-05 level through specific training designed to help them gain the knowledge, experience and competencies needed to meet each level's requirements. Other sectors will likely introduce similar ES development programs later this year.

Human Resources (PE) Development Program

The Human Resources Development Program is open to employees at the PE-01 and PE-02 levels. Through special assignments and coaching, employees will gain the experience, knowledge and competencies required to advance to the PE-03 level. The training ensures that employees acquire the essential skills and qualifications needed to meet the strategic and operational requirements of clients.

Patent Examiner (SG-PAT) Training Program

This program ensures that new Patent Examiners receive the training and acquire the knowledge necessary (with respect to Patent Legislation and the functioning of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office) to make appropriate decisions concerning the patentability of inventions.

University graduates with a degree in engineering or an honours degree in a pure or applied science (or the equivalent) are generally hired at the SG-PAT-02 level. Candidates with a post-graduate degree (PhD) related to the standards or with significant experience working in a related field are hired at the SG-PAT-03 level. Upon completion of the program, participants are appointed at the SG-PAT-04 level. The program generally takes four years but can vary depending on experience.

Program Administration (PM)—Access to Information and Privacy Professional Development Program (ATIP – PDP)

The objective of this program is to develop knowledge of ATIP and other core competencies. Employees acquire experience working in an ATIP program, in-depth knowledge of the Access to Information and Privacy Act, knowledge of government operations and other essential information. Upon completion of the program, employees will be ATIP specialists at the PM-04 working level.

Program Administration (PM) Training and Learning Program—Public and Corporate Services Examiners

The main objective of this two-year program in Corporations Canada is to provide employees with the knowledge and skills required for examiners at the PM-01 and PM-02 levels. Training focuses on the enforcement of federal incorporations legislation as well as other laws administered by Corporations Canada, including cases of incorporation, amendment, dissolution, amalgamation, import, export and revival. Upon successful completion of the program, employees are appointed at the PM-02 level.

Spectrum Management Officer (SMO) Development Program

The Spectrum Management Officer (SMO) Recruitment and Development Program is committed to recruiting, developing and retaining a knowledge-based workforce to provide high-quality service to clients. SMO's perform unique duties, requiring a set of competencies that are uncommon in the labour force. Employees currently occupying EL-01, 02 or 03 (Electronics) positions are automatically enrolled in the program. Participants are promoted as they develop the necessary skills.

Technical Inspectors (TI) Recruitment and Development Program

This program recruits post-secondary graduates with a relevant diploma or certificate (e.g. sciences, engineering, electrical, electronics, mechanical, instrumentation technology) or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience to fill entry-level (TI-03) positions in Measurement Canada. As employees move through the program, they acquire skills and competencies necessary to advance to senior TI-04 positions.

Language Training

Employees can participate in one-on-one or group language training to improve their ability to work in their second official language. Those requiring extensive training may have the opportunity to take a short leave to pursue full-time second language training. This is subject to a position's linguistic requirements, operational feasibility and manager's approval.

Mentoring Programs

To help ensure that the insights and experience of our people are shared and continue to contribute to the growth of our organization, we have committed to providing our employees with an excellent Mentoring Program. We encourage our mentors to share their knowledge and personal work experiences with their mentee to help support their learning and development. Mentoring can be a powerful relationship that helps pass on knowledge, provides fresh perspectives and can help shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Linguistic Mentoring

This program helps employees maintain and improve their oral communication skills in their second official language. All employees with a basic knowledge of their second offical language can participate. Employees will benefit from the opportunity to improve and receive feedback on their communication skills in an informal setting.

Career Planning Program

This program helps employees to identify career goals and strategies, develop a career plan, prepare for interviews, prepare your résumé and develop work search techniques and strategies.