For school counsellors, the responsibility of helping young people prepare for life after graduation has never been more complex.Students are making choices as technology and economic volatility reshape opportunities. Counsellors are central to how schools support this transition, ensuring career education is meaningfully connected to engagement, equity and wellness. Cannexus26, taking place January 26–28, 2026, in Ottawa and online, will bring together educators, policymakers and community partners to explore how guidance and career education can better serve students. Cannexus is presented by CERIC, a pan-Canadian charitable organization.
Student insights
A national study of more than 20,000 learners will share the latest data on students’ career interests, employer preferences and career development experiences, offering actionable insights and practical takeaways for counsellors. Indigenous youth perspectives will also be featured, underscoring how culturally grounded approaches, identity and community connections foster resilient,
self-determined and meaningful career pathways.
Fresh approaches in schools
Sessions will spotlight how career education is being reimagined. Volunteering is positioned as a launch pad for skill development and opportunity. Partnerships with employers create applied projects and portfolio-building experiences that connect classroom learning with the workplace. Play-based methods are highlighted for sparking curiosity in earlier grades, alongside calls to make career education a core subject woven across the school experience.
Purpose, wellness and connection
Programming will emphasize how career education contributes to well-being. Helping students reflect on purpose can support resilience and mental health. Linking career learning to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals helps students see how their choices connect to impact, reinforcing motivation and belonging.
Equity in practice
For school counsellors supporting students who face systemic barriers, Cannexus26 will share tangible models: group-based programming that builds hope, mentoring initiatives that expand networks, and strategies to widen participation in fields where representation has lagged, including STEM and the skilled trades. Together, these approaches enhance access and foster belonging.
Recognizing the skills that matter most
Employers consistently stress the importance of adaptability, collaboration and communication. Sessions will examine how schools can verify and recognize these often-overlooked strengths. One approach uses micro-credentials to give students credit for soft skills while giving employers confidence in their readiness. These human or soft skills are increasingly seen as the foundation for employability in a changing labour market.
Looking ahead
The role of school counsellors has expanded in both scope and intensity. Rising mental health concerns, equity challenges and complex student needs have made support and advocacy more prominent, while rapid changes in career pathways demand deeper knowledge of job trends. With more than 140 sessions, Cannexus26 – Canada’s largest career development conference – will provide counsellors with evidence and practical models to bring back to their schools. The conference offers much-needed perspectives to help counsellors guide students toward futures that are not only possible but meaningful. Learn more at cannexus.ceric.ca.
