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Caregiver, Child Care Professional, Community Support Worker, Youth Care Worker
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Child and youth care workers may work with young people who are:
In general, child and youth care workers:
Child and youth care workers are often part of a team of social workers, psychologists, recreation therapists, foster care workers, teachers and other professionals. They help integrate the efforts of all these specialized professionals with children, youth and families who may be experiencing emotional or behavioural challenges. Due to their ongoing close involvement with children, youth and families, child and youth care workers are in an ideal position to help them advocate for themselves and take responsibility for their actions.
The number of individuals or families assigned to each worker varies depending on the needs of the individuals and families and the type of services being offered.
Child and youth care workers may be required to work day, evening and some night shifts, 7 days a week. The work can be physically and mentally demanding, and may require physically restraining young people.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in consulting with social assistance recipients and pensioners to advise and aid them in locating and utitizing a variety of community resources; in referring clients to other social services; in counselling clients living in group homes and halfway houses and assisting in pre-release and release planning; in providing crisis intervention and emergency-shelter services; and in co-ordinating volunteer activities of community and social services organizations
Interest in compiling information to participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs; to assess clients' relevant skill strengths and deficits; and in maintaining contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
Interest in assisting clients to sort out options and develop plans of action, and in implementing and organizing the delivery of life-skills workshops, substance-abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social workers and health care professionals
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Child and youth care workers need:
Child and youth care workers should enjoy working with young people and families, keeping in touch with others involved in the helping process and finding innovative solutions to problems.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 247 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 29, 2023 and Nov 20, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 187 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 185 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 181 |
| Security and Safety: Criminal record check | 177 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 172 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 164 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 162 |
| Tasks: Administrative and office activities | 154 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 153 |
| Construction Specialization: Initiative | 152 |
Child and youth care workers must be familiar with the developmental, educational, emotional, social and recreational needs of young people and families. Employers generally prefer to hire applicants with related post-secondary education, preferably a diploma or degree in child and youth care or a related degree in social science or human services. Previous work experience with young people is a definite asset. In some settings, knowledge of native culture and language may be required.
Child and youth care 2-year diploma programs are offered throughout Alberta. Articulation agreements from post-secondary schools, both within Alberta and across Canada, provide smooth transfer for those wishing to continue their education into a bachelor or master's degree.
To enhance employees' formal education, most employers offer orientation training for newly hired child and youth care workers.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
The Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta offers a certification program for child and youth care workers. Certification is not mandatory in this occupation at this time, but may be an asset when seeking employment.
In 2018 the Mental Health Services Protection Act [pdf] was amended to include addictions counsellors, child and youth care counsellors, and counselling therapists under the new College of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (CCTA). Regulations are being developed and these professions will be regulated in the near future. Once this happens, counsellors will need to be approved by CCTA to work in these professions. For updates on the regulation, visit Alberta Counselling Therapists Association (ACTA).
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Child and youth care workers are employed by:
Experienced child and youth care workers may advance to supervisory positions. Further advancement generally requires additional education.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Social and community service workers
2016 NOC: 4212
77.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $35.54 | $21.05 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $15.84 | $45.60 | $23.98 | $20.20 |
| Top | $18.00 | $47.29 | $26.99 | $23.69 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $41,099 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $30,032 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $54,052 |
| Educational Services | $47,662 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $33,510 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $34,430 |
| Public Administration | $74,372 |
Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta (CYCAA) website: www.cycaa.com
Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations website: cyc-canada.org
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
The International Child and Youth Care Network (CYC-Net) website: cyc-net.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 02, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
