Vancouver, July 2025 — The Canadian Vocational Association (CVA-ACFP) delivered a DACUM I training workshop in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a select group of professionals from WorkSafeBC. The five-day training, led by John Avery (President of CVA-ACFP and DACUM trainer) and Bruno Chauvel (CVA-ACFP DACUM trainer), marked a significant milestone in the advancement of competency-based methodologies within WorkSafeBC, British Columbia’s provincial agency responsible for promoting workplace health and safety, preventing injuries, and supporting return-to-work programmes for injured workers.

Held in the offices of WorkSafeBC, the training equipped participants with the essential skills to facilitate DACUM occupational analyses. Rooted in the DACUM model’s four pillars — competency analysis, competency-based programme development, competency-based programme delivery, and competency-based evaluation — the training followed a rigorous standard recognised internationally and governed by CVA Quality Assurance Standards. The training emphasized on experiential learning, with peer-based facilitation exercises and real-time chart development.

 
A group of participants preparing a peer-based facilitation exercise

During hands-on exercises, the participants simulated the full facilitation of occupational analyses and produced a DACUM chart based on a real-world occupation blending theory. Feedback from participants highlighted the high quality of facilitation, the “fun and informative” session, the relevance and versatility of the tools, and the impactful nature of peer-to-peer learning.

Megan Martin, Senior Manager of Credentialing Services at WorkSafeBC, praised the initiative:

“Thank you, John and Bruno, for leading such a successful DACUM facilitation course. The dedication and effort you both put into the training were truly evident and greatly appreciated by everyone involved. The experiential learning was quite the experience for those in attendance. Your approach made the learning experience both meaningful and memorable for all the participants.”

A group of participants preparing a peer-based facilitation exercise

The success of this DACUM I workshop sets the stage for future collaborations. Participants who completed the DACUM I module are now eligible to pursue CVA’s International Certification for DACUM Analysis Facilitators. This professional certification pathway, also used in other international partnerships (e.g., in Jordan), ensures the sustainability and quality of the DACUM methodology through a process of supervised practice, mentoring, and portfolio evaluation.

As the CVA continues to expand its impact across Canada and internationally, this collaboration with WorkSafeBC exemplifies the relevance and adaptability of DACUM for modern HR development, occupational standards design, and the creation of competency-based training systems.

Learn more about CVA’s DACUM training and certification programmes

The CVA trainers

John Avery, President of CVA-ACFP and DACUM trainer
Bruno Chauvel, CVA-ACFP DACUM trainer

July 2025