Building careers in workplace wellness and health promotion
1. Building Careers in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion
Workplace wellness includes any activity that is designed to promote or support physical and
mental health in the workplace. It may include activities ranging from health education, weight
management programs, on-site fitness programs, health coaching and counselling, or health fairs.
In today’s fast-paced life, obesity, stress, blood pressure and sore muscles have become common
problem. The causes are numerous, ranging from stress at workplace, long job hours, unhealthy
eating, no time for physical exercise and sedentary workplace settings. Such problems directly
affect the bottom line of the organizations, resulting in increased employee absenteeism, disability
and injury.
In order to promote total wellness and health of employees, organizations implement wellness
programs. And the benefits are quite substantial. Such programs not only ensure good health of
the employees but have a significant effect on their morale. This also enhances the company
reputation and goodwill.
Careers in Workplace Wellness
Already people have become more health conscious nowadays. Introduction of workplace wellness
programs has further resulted in the rise in demand for professionals who can design, develop and
implement programs to promote total well-being of individuals within corporate and community
contexts.
Employers are keen on hiring qualified and experienced individuals who
• Are skilled in handling physical and psycho-social health issues
• Can bring a holistic approach to workplace wellness and community health promotion
• Can assess health risk factors
• Possess essential wellness program management and communication skills
• Can provide wellness coaching to individuals and groups
The demand for health and wellness management professionals is expected to increase further in
coming years, as more and more organizations plan to begin with workplace health management
programs.
Education and Training
Although employment prospects in this field are bright but the job market is fiercely competitive.
Individuals with specialized college education in this discipline have better chances of finding
decent paying jobs than those without any specialized education. A workplace wellness and
health promotion program can provide interested individuals with the knowledge and skills
needs to build rewarding careers in this field.
2. It’s a one-year graduate certification program focuses on assessing health risk factors, developing
strategies to promote individual and organizational well-being, providing wellness coaching,
analyzing trends and issues in political, economic and social environment and delivering effective
contemporary wellness programs.
It runs for two semesters and cover a wide range of subjects, including Program Planning,
Research Methods in Health Studies, Health Promotion Theory, Mental Health Management,
Coaching and Communication Skills, Health and Wellness Concepts, Environmental Health and
Health Promotion and Organizational Development.
Selecting the Right Program
Numerous colleges in Canada offer postgraduate health and wellness programs. Unfortunately,
not all colleges offer practical hands-on experience, which is much required to seek employment in
this field. Centennial College’s program in workplace wellness and health promotion incorporates
an industry field placement in the second semester, providing valuable and relevant work
experience and networking opportunities to students.
It is country’s first post-graduate wellness program with a national and international reputation.
Additionally, it offers strong employment prospects and opens doors to numerous career
opportunities in corporate, community and institutional wellness.