Learning and Career Development

Network

You may have the opportunity to work on various committees and working groups, which will give you the opportunity to work with employees from different parts of the CFIA, allowing you to learn about the CFIA's various business lines and identify potential learning and professional development opportunities through networking.

You may also have the opportunity to work on intergovernmental committees and/or working groups, which will allow you to interact with scientific professionals from other Government of Canada organizations, as well as municipal, provincial and foreign governments. These committees/working groups may also give you the opportunity to work with various industry experts and stakeholders.

Synapse Network: The CFIA's Synapse Network provides interested employees with opportunities to network, engage in a diverse set of learning activities, contribute to Agency decision making and collaborate with colleagues across the country. The Synapse Network is a Canada-wide community where members share their ideas and actively contribute to the Agency decision-making process. The aim of the Synapse Network is to provide all employees, regardless of age, employment status or category, with the opportunity to learn about the Agency, exchange information, develop a network of contacts with colleagues and enhance their contribution to the Agency. The Synapse Network emphasizes networking and learning, professional and career development opportunities, social and cultural activities, and charitable events.

GCPEDIA: As a Government of Canada employee you will have access to GCPEDIA, the Government of Canada wiki. GCPEDIA has been used as a platform to take, publish, and distribute meeting minutes, to create project status dashboards, to collaboratively author interdepartmental papers, to brainstorm, to create wiki-based briefing books, and to organize interdepartmental working groups and communities of practice. Users are free to use the wiki as they see fit, within the code of conduct.

Learning

Access to Continuous Learning: At the CFIA, you will find experiences and programs that encourage learning and help you to build a successful career. We offer courses in the latest technology, communication, interpersonal skills, management, and English or French as a second language - all aimed at increasing your employability.

Employees are also encouraged to take advantage of self-directed learning opportunities. MyAccount, a public service-wide e-learning tool with a library of self-directed courses, is available to all employees. Sample courses include negotiation, conflict management, second-language training, and Microsoft Office training.

On-the-Job Training: Regular feedback through coaching and mentoring from your manager, attendance at conferences, and participation in workshops are practices promoted as part of the CFIA learning culture to help support your professional development.

Coaching and Mentoring: The CFIA encourages employees at all levels to build and share their knowledge. In addition to formal courses and learning options, our working environment is designed to make continuous learning, coaching, and mentoring an integral part of the organization.

The Individual Learning Plan (ILP): The ILP is an employee's written plan for developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities that he or she requires to perform in his or her current position, as well as for career development purposes. It is a way to organize and set priorities for learning and development.

The Developmental Fund: The CFIA created the Developmental Fund in 2003. It has invested millions of dollars since then and continues to do so in support of knowledge transfer, management development, developmental second official language training, and to complement regularly budgeted training programs and learning activities.

Performance Feedback and Review (PFR): Performance feedback is an important and effective tool for supporting career development by fostering open and ongoing communication between employees and supervisors. It's an opportunity for all employees to discuss their performance, determine work objectives, identify learning needs, and discuss career goals.

Language Training: The CFIA recognizes that obtaining and maintaining a second official language is beneficial for the employee as well as the organization. The Agency has developed tools to assist and support its employees who are required to use their second official language. Official language training is also available free of charge to all employees through the Canada School of Public Service's MyAccount website, an e-learning environment which offers a comprehensive set of online courses and resources.

The CFIA Developmental Fund supports employees who wish to maintain or improve their language skills during non-working hours, providing up to $800 per year toward books and language training at a local institution. Funding is provided on a first come first serve basis, and management pre-approval is required.

In addition, the CFIA's intranet site provides reference and self-learning tools that allow employees to improve their language skills and the quality of their bilingual communications.