Job prospects Guidance Counsellor - Education in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "guidance counsellor - education" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Educational counsellors (NOC 41320) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Majority employed in educational services largely in elementary and secondary schools
  • Colleges and universities are also key employers

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Demand strongly influenced by student registration
• Increase in enrolment in secondary schools
  • Educational counsellors are hired more in secondary schools than elementary schools; however, annual funding amounts and school board priorities may affect student-to-counsellor ratios and employment opportunities
• Postsecondary enrolment is exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and opportunities should arise as more people seek training in these institutions
  • International students are accounting for a growing share of student enrolment, which should support work for counsellors to assist with their transition

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In elementary and secondary schools, counsellors are required to be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers, in addition to having at least a bachelor’s degree

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• There are indications that guidance counsellors are increasingly attending to students’ mental health concerns
• Work opportunities are usually less abundant in the summer months due to the slowdown in educational activities in this period.

Here are some key facts about Educational counsellors in Ontario:

• Approximately 5,650 people work in this occupation.
• Educational counsellors mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 37%
  • Universities (NAICS 6113): 28%
  • Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s (NAICS 6112): 20%
  • Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 65% of educational counsellors work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of educational counsellors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 23% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 77% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 44% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "guidance counsellor - education" in Ontario or across Canada.

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