Portfolio

Carrie Wakeford is the owner of Wakeford & Associates. She is an experienced Career Practitioner, course and workshop developer and project manager. Carrie has worked with individuals, government and for non-profit organizations and large and small companies. She has an extensive network of Associates to draw on which allows her to manage large projects and meet a wide range of individual and organizational needs through Wakeford & Associates.

Carrie is an active volunteer in the Peterborough community and has participated on many boards and community fundraising events. Although she is based in Peterborough, she has also provided assistance to companies and organizations throughout Ontario. She is willing to travel and has extensive experience using technology to work collaboratively with organizations outside the area.

In addition to her work as a consultant, Carrie feels strongly about managing her own ongoing learning and has recently completed an Alternative Dispute and Conflict Resolution Certificate with the Mediation Centre of Southeastern Ontario. She has completed an online course through Algonquin College titled Designing and Authoring Online Training. She has also completed the Profiling Occupational Essential Skills training course and received a certificate from Bow Valley College.

In addition to her academic interests, Carrie has recently pursued lessons in downhill skiing, horseback riding and whitewater canoeing. She is an avid canoeist, camper, skier and photographer and enjoys spending time travelling with her husband Patrick.

Testimonials

Training

Carrie's professional background in employment counselling, online facilitation along with her well developed curriculum writing skills were a definite asset to our course development. Carrie took the time to listen and understand our project objectives and delivered two practical and engaging courses for our clients of whom the majority are internationally educated and trained professionals. Her knowledge of structured online curriculum development and presentation complemented our goals for the project. As a curriculum developer, Carrie is very creative, organized and insightful and was committed to completing the project within the guidelines and timeframes agreed to. She is a person we would consider working with again in the future.
Heidi Fuentes,
Online Assistant Manager
COSTI Immigrant Services

Carrie has had the opportunity to guide us through this project in terms of what would work best for students, instructors, and facilitators with regards to the end product. Her attention to detail will make our material user friendly and quite unique. I believe Carrie has the qualities that are essential to the development of material for different audiences.
Lesley Hamilton,
Executive Director
Literacy Ontario Central South

"Specifically in the last two years, I have contracted Carrie to deliver complex, online curriculum in the area of employment training and services. Carrie has also acted as an excellent online facilitator and classroom trainer. Throughout the course of our work together, Carrie has written engaging marketing materials to assist in the outreach and development of our programming. I find her exceptionally skilled in this area."
Melanie Redman,
Owner
Non-Profit Management and Consulting

"We have worked with Carrie of Wakeford & Associates in a number of capacities - as a researcher, curriculum developer and counsellor. Carrie's unique strength is that she can move easily between working with people and with information while producing powerful outcomes. Her facilitative style brings out the best in a group or a project and her drive for results ensures that the client receives a superior end product."
Andy Rothfischer,
Owner
Rothfischer & Associates

"Having worked with Carrie on training development projects, I know the courses she develops are meticulously researched, practical, current and written to be easily understood by people with a variety of educational backgrounds. Her materials prepare students with the skills and confidence necessary for today's competitive job market."
Cheryl Forman,
Owner/Trainer
Academy of Learning Lindsay Campus

"Carrie was careful to consider learners' abilities, and took pains to ensure that the material was enlightening and engaging. In observing Carrie with the clients, it was obvious that she had developed a good rapport with everyone. Carrie was easy to work with; she developed an interesting variety of material for our clients to use and kept VCCS informed about her progress. We welcome the opportunity to work with Carrie again."
Barb Khagram,
Supervisor
VCCS Employment Services

"Having worked with Carrie in the employment counseling field, I observed her commitment to supporting clients achieve their goals. She develops effective programs that are often on the leading edge of trends. Carrie can always be counted on to accomplish what she sets out to do and has a value added approach to service delivery."
Anne Wood
Employment Counsellor and Group Facilitator

Career Management

"I have had the opportunity to work with Carrie Wakeford on a variety of Career Counselling initiatives and Human Resource projects. As an HR professional with over eighteen years of experience, I can honestly say that I have gained greater insights into my field with Carrie's guidance. Carrie is a true innovator in career counselling, program development and career transitioning. Her research skills and dedication makes her a leader in this field. I continually seek out her professional opinion when faced with challenging issues because of her insights and forward thinking. I would strongly recommend utilizing Carrie's professional services. Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes is truly fortunate to have access to Wakeford & Associates."
Joan Connolly,
J. Connolly & Associates

"I have been working with Carrie since October 2005. She has been and continues to be a tremendous help and support to me. She is a very down to earth person who is so easy to talk to. You always feel better about yourself after meeting with her. In the past year, she has helped me believe in myself and all that I have to offer in terms of my job skills and interview process. She has done a wonderful job in helping me gain back my self confidence!! Carrie is certainly in the right job field!!!"
Carole Batten,
Client Accounts Analyst
Meloche Monnex

Labour Adjustment

"I have worked with Carrie in Labour Adjustment and have found her to excel at this work. She relates well to a wide variety of personalities and is supportive and very knowledgeable about programs, services and re-employment techniques. I recall the first time I was introduced to Carrie; she had just started to work with a group of laid-off workers who were struggling. I was totally impressed how Carrie calmly dealt with this difficult situation in a tactful but supportive manner and quickly had the group moving forward in a productive way. I always found that her financial and administrative reports are accurate, timely and professionally presented. I strongly recommend Carrie as a consultant because she can perform a wide variety of tasks in a thorough and professional manner."
Carol Kostashuk
Labour Adjustment Advisor
Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities

"In 2008, I first had the opportunity of meeting and working with Carrie at an Employee Adjustment Centre. The Centre deals with many personalities, situations and most of all, devastation of losing one's job. Carrie was not only a good listener, but was very caring to each individual's concerns and problems. Her ongoing training, knowledge of government programs, along with her patience, understanding and excellent research and organizational skills were certainly an asset to the success of the Centre. As a Committee Peer Helper, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience for future endeavours. Working with Carrie has proven to be a very rewarding experience and hope the occasion arises to work with her again."
Bea Briden
Action Centre Peer Helper

"Having worked with Carrie on several labour adjustment projects, I can attest to her professionalism, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. She is versatile, creative, a great problem solver and is attentive to the needs of her clients".
Kathy Neill,
Executive Director
John Howard Society

Outplacement

"The company I worked for hired Carrie Wakeford to help the employees who were losing their jobs due to downsizing. The transition of losing a job you enjoyed to searching for one that is of equal or better opportunity is very difficult. Carrie delivered all the tools to help this transition go very smoothly. Not knowing where or how to start, she developed the steps to put me on the right path of job searching. She assisted in updating a very outdated résumé and in designing a cover letter template. She showed me where and how to search for new and exciting opportunities. Of most value was the confidence Carrie helped me gain by knowing I had all the right tools to successfully find suitable employment."
Christine Barry,
Former Supervisor
TD Home and Auto

Project Management

"Carrie Wakeford acted as Vocational Director of Academy of Learning, Peterborough and Lindsay campuses. During that time she excelled in her role, offering clients educational and career counselling, career guidance and résumé preparation. A proficient admissions specialist, her professional and welcoming demeanor resulted in many satisfied students enrolling and graduating from skills training that would change the course of their lives."
Crystal Metheral,
Senior Administrator
Breken Group of Companies Incorporated

Résumés and Letters

"Becoming unemployed after 11 years, I was uncertain of the current trend for résumés. Carrie made the process painless; creating a résumé and cover letter that was consistently praised by potential employers. As a result of her work, I am now re-employed in a new and exciting field. Carrie worked with me to showcase my transferable skills which broadened my potential field of employment. Her encouragement and support eased the process of my job search. Within 8 weeks of active searching, I had two employment offers! Carrie understood not only the practical but also the psychological effects of job searching. Her constant support and direction provided me the confidence to move forward. Thanks to her, I am now, once again, gainfully employed."
Denise Stone,
Executive Director
Niagara Symphony