A career in the helping industry – Community Support Worker

Have you ever considered a career in the helping industry in Canada? If your answer is yes, becoming a community support worker may be a great career option for you!

With the aging population, the tremendous advancements in technology, and our demand for the best quality of life, the healthcare industry is facing a growing shortage of well-trained personnel. Throughout the North American healthcare industry, there is an acute need to increase the size of the workforce and raise the skill level.

What is a community support worker?

A community support worker is the main point of contact for individuals who are in need of continuous help and assistance. Community workers work closely with various social groups, and their main goal is to provide the utmost support and care to the person or a group of people with physical and/or mental disabilities or restrictions. Your assistance can vary: you can find yourself providing physical, vocational, recreational, social, emotional and daily skill development, as well as a combination of those.

A career as a community support worker can be compared to that of a caregiver and a social worker, but also that of a teacher. Your goal is not only to assist your clients but also to help them develop the skill sets and coping mechanisms to achieve a greater degree of independence and control over their lives. If you are looking for a satisfying profession in the helping industry, this is definitely the right path for you. They are employed by social service and government agencies, mental health agencies, group homes, shelters, substance abuse centres, school boards, correctional facilities, and other establishments.