Choose Community Economic Development as a careerMake an ImpactA career in Community Economic Development is more than a job; it's a rewarding journey where you make a real impact. Engage with communities, businesses, and government at all levels. Professionals in this field come from diverse backgrounds, creating a vibrant community. Join a career that offers longevity and meaningful contributions. It starts here. |
Why choose Community Economic Development as a career?
- It is collaborative, fast-paced and creative
- Gives you the opportunity to be a catalyst for change by working with government and the private sector to build healthy sustainable communities
- You have a hand in creating local economic opportunities while improving quality of life
What are some important skills of community economic developers?
- Communication
- Flexibility
- Strategic Thinking
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership
- Team Building
What factors are involved in Community Economic Development?
- Community
- Wealth Creation
- Mobilization of Resources
- Human Resources
- Financial and Capital Resources
- Physical Resources
- Natural Resources
- Marketable Goods and Services
What are some careers in economic development?
- Economic Development Officers
- Managers of local or regional economic development organizations
- Business development specialists with municipalities or industry organizations
- Tourism or recreation specialists
What does an Economic Development Officer (EDO) do?
- Conduit to the local business community with the ability to support, encourage and advise local businesses
- Works closely with the planning department and Council to ensure an understanding and awareness of economic development
- Strives to have key decision makers part of creating a ‘pro-business’ environment
- Should be the most knowledgeable person regarding community assets, and should be the number one sales person to internal and external markets
- Possesses critical thinking, great people skills, strong business background, good problem solving skills
- Knows how to link to municipal, provincial and global economic development resources
- Liaison between the economic development committee and/or community
- >Supports, encourages, and advises local businesses
- Without a large support staff, the EDO must be able to work effectively with volunteers
- Works to build community capacity
What training is needed?
- Knowledge and skills can be enhanced through professional development and University programs.
- EDA offers the Community Economic Development Training Program(CEDTP); courses designed for economic development practitioners, decision makers such as elected officials and the business community.
- Completion of these courses can be applied to the Professional Management Certificate-Economic Developers at the University of Calgary; the Certified Economic Developer Ec.D; or the CeCD Certified by the International Economic Developers Council.
- Economic Development Officer (EDO) training is available through several Canadian institutions such as the University of Waterloo.