Summer has a way of reminding us to slow down. Longer days, warmer weather, and a change of pace offer a chance to pause—even if it's only for a few moments.

As career development professionals, you're often focused on helping others navigate change, overcome challenges, and reach their goals. But this month, we'd like to encourage you to turn some of that same care inward. Your well-being matters, too.

This edition is all about finding simple, practical ways to recharge. You'll discover our new NSCDA Wellness Finder, explore strategies for managing workplace stress, challenge yourself with a wellness-themed crossword, and enjoy a podcast that encourages reflection and self-care. We've also included inspiring stories from across our community, including Futureworx's selection to present on the world stage at the WorldSkills Conference—proof that the innovative work happening here in Nova Scotia is making an impact far beyond our borders.

Well-being doesn't require a complete reset. Sometimes it's as simple as taking a walk, learning something new, stretching between meetings, or setting aside ten minutes to reflect on what you need today. Small moments of intention can help us return to our work with renewed energy, focus, and purpose.

As always, thank you for being part of the NSCDA community. We hope this month's edition encourages you to make time for yourself, discover a few new resources, and remember that investing in your own well-being is one of the best ways to continue making a difference in the lives of others.

Enjoy this month's edition!

Making Time for Your Well-Being

Taking just ten minutes each day to pause, reflect, and recharge can help you bring your best self to both your work and your life.

As career development professionals, you spend your days helping others navigate change, overcome challenges, and move toward their goals. It is meaningful work, but it also asks a great deal of you. Supporting others requires energy, focus, empathy, and resilience—and those resources need to be replenished.

Well-being isn't something to think about only when you're feeling overwhelmed. Like professional development, it's something that benefits from regular attention. Taking just ten minutes each day to check in with yourself can make a meaningful difference.

That pause might mean asking yourself a few simple questions:

• How am I feeling today?
• What do I need right now?
• What has helped me in the past?
• Is there something new I'd like to try?

Some days, the answer may be a few minutes of mindful breathing. On others, it might be stretching after a morning of meetings, learning a new strategy for managing stress, or simply taking a quiet break before moving on to the next task.

Wellness isn't about finding one perfect solution. It's about building a collection of practices that support you over time. As our work changes, and as we change, the strategies that serve us may also change. Revisiting familiar practices can be just as valuable as discovering new ones.

There is an old saying that taking time makes time. Investing a few intentional minutes in your own well-being can help you return to your work with greater clarity, patience, and energy. Those ten minutes are not time lost—they are an investment in your ability to continue doing the important work you do every day.

To support that journey, we've created the NSCDA Wellness Finder, a new interactive tool. The Wellness Finder helps you discover Wellness Webinars based on what you need in the moment.

Whether you're looking to reduce stress, boost your energy, improve focus, reconnect with purpose, or simply take a mindful pause, the Wellness Finder recommends webinars from the NSCDA's growing Wellness Webinar library. With more than 70 self-paced sessions available, it's easy to revisit a favourite practice or discover something new whenever you need it.

This month, challenge yourself to make ten minutes a daily habit. Pause. Reflect. Recharge. Explore the Wellness Finder and find a resource that meets you where you are today.

Because taking care of yourself isn't separate from your professional practice—it helps sustain it.

Wellness Tip: Once you explore the NSCDA Wellness Finder, take five minutes to choose one resource, strategy, or webinar that resonates with you. Even one small step toward your well-being today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.

This fall, the NSCDA is excited to introduce a new learning opportunity that goes beyond traditional professional development. Alongside our new Trauma-Informed Career Development Practice training, we will also be launching a Community of Practice dedicated to supporting practitioners as they put these principles into action.

Trauma-informed practice recognizes that many individuals have experienced adversity or trauma that can influence how they engage with career development services. This new training will provide career development professionals with foundational knowledge, practical strategies, and a deeper understanding of how to create safe, respectful, and empowering experiences for the people they serve.

Learning, however, doesn't end when a course is over. That's where the Community of Practice comes in.

A Community of Practice brings together professionals who share a common interest and a commitment to continuous learning. It is a space to ask questions, exchange ideas, discuss real-world experiences, and learn from one another in a supportive environment. Rather than learning in isolation, members build knowledge collectively, strengthening both their confidence and their practice over time.

In keeping with the principles of trauma-informed care, this community will foster collaboration, reflection, and ongoing support while helping build local capacity for trauma-informed career development services.

The initiative begins with a two-day training on October 28 and 29, which will serve as the foundation for the Community of Practice. Whether you're new to trauma-informed practice or looking to strengthen your existing approach, this will be an opportunity to learn alongside colleagues who are equally committed to creating safe, compassionate, and effective career services.

More details, including registration information, will be shared in next month's member newsletter. We can't wait to share this exciting new opportunity with you.

Wellness Tip: Supporting others begins with supporting yourself. Connecting with peers who understand your work can reduce stress, build resilience, and remind you that you don't have to have all the answers on your own.

Congratulations to Futureworx on an outstanding international achievement.

In partnership with Skills Canada, Futureworx has been selected to participate in the inaugural Skills CoLab at the WorldSkills Conference 2026 in Shanghai, China. Their collaborative submission, Beyond the Podium: Measuring What Actually Makes Skilled Workers Succeed, was selected from more than 130 applications representing 35 countries.

This recognition is about far more than presenting at an international conference. It reflects more than four decades of Futureworx's commitment to developing practical, evidence-informed approaches that strengthen workforce development and improve outcomes for individuals, employers, and communities. It also highlights how innovative work taking place here in Nova Scotia is contributing to conversations on a global stage.

As Randy Lindsay, Chief Executive Officer of Futureworx, shared:

"Being selected for the Skills CoLab from more than 130 projects across 35 countries is an extraordinary honour, but what moves me most is what it represents. For years, we've been asking a question that the workforce development world hasn't always known how to answer: what actually makes a person succeed? Not just in a job, but in life and in community."

This achievement also reflects the strength of collaboration across the career development and workforce development sectors. Congratulations to the Futureworx team and all those whose partnerships continue to advance skills innovation in Nova Scotia and beyond.

Read the full announcement: Futureworx.ca/newsroom

NSCDA Annual General Virtual Meeting happening on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

This virtual event is your chance to hear about the highlights of the past year and get a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the NSCDA. It’s a great way to stay informed and engaged as a member.

The meeting will take place via Zoom. You’ll receive the Zoom link by email after you register—so don’t forget to sign up and mark your calendar!

Bonus! The first three organizations to email Chantelle at cmarshall@nscda.ca with the names of four registered members will win an NSCDA-sponsored office pizza party after the AGVM. To qualify, all four people must be current members and attend the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This month's interactive crossword is a reminder that professional growth and personal well-being go hand in hand.

Inspired by this issue's focus on making time for yourself, the crossword explores ideas that support resilience, reflection, balance, and sustainable career practice. It's a fun way to pause for a few minutes, exercise your mind, and reconnect with concepts that help us do our best work.

Complete the puzzle directly in your browser, watch each correct answer light up as you go, and celebrate when you've solved the final clue.

Consider it your ten-minute wellness break for the day.

Ready to recharge? Give the crossword a try—and share it with a colleague! 

Wellness Tip: After you complete the crossword, spend another five minutes exploring the new NSCDA Wellness Finder. You might discover a webinar that's exactly what you need today.

EMPOWERED: The Portfolio Career FALL Intake

“The Empowered: Portfolio Career training showed me that learning happens everywhere - from school to work to personal projects. I’m now much better equipped to help the people I support to recognize these experiences and turn their achievements into meaningful career-ready stories.”

- K.P.

EMPOWERED: The Portfolio Career facilitator training equips career development practitioners to support clients in reflecting on their experiences, recognize strengths, and move forward with a new confidence in what they know and can do.

If you’re a CDP in Nova Scotia with previous facilitation experience and an interest in fully experiencing the portfolio process, read further! We’re looking for a group of 10-12

 practitioners for our Fall ‘26 intake.

Details:

Eight sessions led by expert facilitators Darlene Porter and Lisa Strong, including one in-person full day and the remaining sessions via Zoom.

Schedule:

September 22: In-person (NSCDA Office);

September 29th onward, Tuesday mornings from 9:30-noon via Zoom, wrapping up mid-November. 

This program will prepare you to facilitate portfolio development with groups and/or integrate portfolio activities into one-on-one practice. You’ll be invited to join our new EMPOWERED Community of Practice where likeminded portfolio enthusiasts will discuss all things related to the program and its delivery.

Apply by August 21 to Teresa Francis (tfrancis@nscda.ca) with:

• Why you're interested
• Your facilitation experience
• Any experience with portfolio development

Cost: Non-member $125 | Member $100 | Professional Member $87.50 | Nova Scotia Works Member $25

Invoicing is available for individuals and groups. Travel costs for the in-person session are the responsibility of the individual or organization. For all inquiries on invoicing, please email cmarshall@nscda.ca

"Empowered helped me reframe my career path. Instead of feeling like I needed to fit into one role, I learned how a portfolio career lets me build meaningful work around my strengths, my interests, and my personal life."- J.F.

Prioritizing Your Professional Well-Being Through National Certification

Recognizing your experience, strengthening your confidence, and investing in your future.

As career development professionals, we often think of wellness in terms of managing stress, maintaining balance, and taking time to recharge. While those practices are essential, professional well-being is just as important. Feeling confident in your expertise, recognizing your accomplishments, and continuing to grow all contribute to a more fulfilling and sustainable career.

One way to invest in your professional well-being is through National Career Development

Professional (CCDP) Certification.

Certification is more than a credential. It's an opportunity to pause and reflect on the knowledge, skills, and experience you've built throughout your career. Taking time to acknowledge your professional journey can strengthen your confidence and remind you of the meaningful impact you have every day.

Why Consider National Certification?

National CCDP Certification helps you:

• Recognize the expertise you've developed throughout your career.
• Demonstrate your commitment to professional excellence.
• Showcase your dedication to ethical practice.
• Strengthen your professional credibility.
• Support your ongoing professional growth.

Just as you encourage your clients to celebrate their achievements, certification provides an opportunity to celebrate your own.

Is It Time to Take the Next Step?

If you have three or more years of experience in career development or a related field, you may already be eligible to pursue National Certification. A National Program Advisor can help determine your eligibility and guide you through the process.

If you're earlier in your career, there is still a pathway available. The Career Pathways route is designed to support professionals as they build the experience needed for certification while encouraging continued learning and development.

Investing in Yourself

Throughout this month's wellness theme, we've explored the importance of taking time for ourselves—not only physically and mentally, but professionally as well.

Professional wellness means recognizing your strengths, investing in your growth, and taking pride in the work you've accomplished. Whether you're ready to begin the certification process today or are planning for the future, exploring National Certification is one way to honour your career journey and continue building toward the future you envision..

Wellness Tip: The care and guidance you provide to others deserve the same investment in yourself. Take a few moments today to do something that supports your own well-being—you'll be better equipped to support others tomorrow.

From the Field - A Podcast by the NSCDA

Episode 16: The Human Side of Work: How To Care Without Carrying It All

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Lisa Strong speaks with Sam Madore, Marketing Communications Manager with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and host of the podcast Keep Talking. Together, they explore the emotional weight many professionals carry at work and why conversations about mental health are so important.

Listen here: From the Field by the NSCDA or go to NSCDA.ca to find to new episodes

Wellness Tip: Take a break from your screen and listen to this month's podcast while you're out for a walk, enjoying a coffee, or commuting. Sometimes the best professional development happens when you give yourself permission to slow down.

Take Time for Your Well-Being: Stress Management Strategies

Wellness Tip: Sometimes the best investment you can make is simply taking the time to learn. As an NSCDA member, this course is available to you at no additional cost.

We're pleased to introduce a new monthly Lunch & Learn webinar series created to help NSCDA members stay informed, connected, and engaged with the issues shaping career development practice.

As the career development sector continues to evolve, staying informed, connected, and adaptable is more important than ever. From emerging trends and new programs to changing labour market realities, practitioners are navigating a fast-moving landscape.

In August, our Lunch & Learn series will provide members with practical, timely learning opportunities designed to support your work and professional growth.

Each session will connect you with industry experts, community partners, and system leaders who will share relevant insights, tools, and updates you can apply directly in your day-to-day practice.

Whether you support job seekers, students, employers, newcomers, or individuals navigating career transitions, these sessions are designed to help you stay current, informed, and connected to the broader sector.

Each session is designed to help you stay informed, strengthen your practice, and better support clients and communities in a changing environment.

Wellness Webinar Spotlight: A Holistic Approach to Managing Workplace Stress

Looking for a new way to support your well-being? In this recorded webinar, Jessica Warrener, Osteopathic Practitioner and Kinesiologist, shares a holistic approach to understanding and managing workplace stress.

Discover how stress affects both the mind and body, and learn simple, practical techniques to release tension, improve posture, and restore balance throughout your workday. Whether you're looking to add new strategies to your wellness toolkit or simply take a moment to focus on yourself, this session offers practical ideas you can apply right away.

As you take stock of your wellness this summer, A Holistic Approach to Managing Workplace Stress provides an opportunity to explore practical strategies that help you reduce stress, restore balance, and support your overall well-being.

We hope these resources provide a balanced approach that integrates learning, reflection, movement, and mindfulness, allowing participants to engage in a way that feels aligned and deeply supported! 

All sessions are released on the NSCDA Learning HUB, so you can participate at your own pace.  Quick Step-by-step guide on how to access Wellness Webinars

Supporting others starts with supporting yourself. As career development professionals, you dedicate your time and energy to helping people achieve their goals. Your NSCDA membership is here to ensure you have the learning, resources, and community you need to continue growing—both professionally and personally.

If your membership is due for renewal, now is the perfect time to continue your connection to everything the NSCDA has to offer.

Your membership provides access to a wide range of exclusive benefits, including complimentary member courses, webinars and events, the NSCDA Wellness Finder, practical tools and resources, discounts on professional development, and the NSCDA Learning HUB. It's also how you stay connected through our monthly member mailouts, exclusive announcements, training opportunities, event invitations, and updates on new resources and initiatives designed specifically for members.

Renewing is easy. If your membership is due, simply log in to your NSCDA Learning HUB and look for the Renew Membership notification on your dashboard. Follow the prompts to complete your renewal in just a few minutes.

Need a hand? We're happy to help. If you have any questions or experience any difficulties, simply contact cmarshall@nscda.ca, and we'll be glad to assist you.

Thank you for being part of the NSCDA community. We look forward to continuing to support your learning, your career, and your well-being in the year ahead.

Wellness Tip: When work gets busy, it's easy to forget the resources available to support you. Take a few minutes to explore your Learning HUB—you may discover a course, tool, or webinar that's exactly what you need today.

Re-discover the NSCDA HUB: Your All-in-One Resource for Career Development Professionals

The NSCDA HUB is packed with features to support your professional growth, connect you with peers, and make the most of your membership. Here’s a quick look at what’s available and how to access it:

As a member, you have access to exclusive online courses and webinars, events and discounts on conferences, events, and training.

Go to www.nscda.ca and select HUB login to get started

Overview of the NSCDA HUB

The trusted voice for the career development community since the late 1990s. Offering professional certification, training based on competencies, special membership benefits, and opportunities to get involved in research, networking, and advocacy.