Career Path Guide

If you want to become a facilitator, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for your skills, interests and personality traits. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for it:

• You enjoy leading and guiding others

• You have the self-confidence to speak in front of large groups of people

• You have the self-control to avoid being defensive when criticized

• You enjoy acting as a guide to help move people through a process together

• You enjoy shaping the process of how people arrive at consensus in order to meet their common goals

• You can maintain objectivity and neutrality during debates and when facing criticism

Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a facilitator. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, educational requirements, a list of possible employers and much more!

Education Needed

The educational requirements typically vary depending on the type of meeting or session that is being facilitated, and the size and type of the organization the facilitator works for. Below is an overview of common types of programs that employ facilitators, with the corresponding education needed to work in that area.

After-School Programs: Many after-school programs are designed to teach children group-oriented skills such as teamwork and communication, while also having fun. Facilitators in after-school programs may not require formal post-secondary education, although having a diploma, certificate or degree in a field such as education, outdoor recreation or any field that relates to working with children is often considered an asset.

Employment Workshops: The focus of employment workshops are typically to help groups of youth or adults increase their prospects of employment by teaching them skills such as customer service, teamwork and communication, as well as introducing them to resources such as employment, education and training opportunities. Those who facilitate employment workshops and related programs typically need at least an undergraduate degree in psychology, human services, education, human ecology, or a related field. 

Family Health Workshops: The focus of a family health program is typically to strengthen positive family functioning through knowledge sharing and skill-building. Facilitators for family health related programs typically need at least an undergraduate degree in a field such as social work, family ecology or human services.

Life Skills Workshops: Life skills workshops aim to teach individuals and groups the importance of skills in areas such as financial management, employability, personal initiative, communication, domestic partnership, anger management, and many other areas. Facilitators for programs related to life skills typically need at least an undergraduate degree in a field such as social work, family ecology or human services.

Mental Health Workshops: Mental health workshops and other programs promote the development of relationships to help individuals realize their abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, find success and fulfillment in their work, and contribute to the general wellbeing of their communities. Facilitators in the area of mental health and related programs typically need at least an undergraduate degree in a field such as psychology, healthcare administration, social work or human/family ecology.

Peer-Support Programs: Peer support programs are typically designed to provide support, resources and referrals to individuals and groups who face various forms of trauma, such as abuse, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a home, or other difficult situations. Those in peer support programs typically need at least an undergraduate degree in a field such as psychology or social work.

Corporate Team-Building: Corporate training programs may focus on developing teamwork and communication skills, typically with the goal of increasing employee engagement and commitment to the overall success of their organization. Facilitators working in the capacity of corporate team building either need, or can benefit from a degree in a field such as business administration, psychology, social work, education or communication.

Corporate Training: Medium and large-sized organizations may also hire facilitators to conduct town-hall style meetings in order to solicit honest feedback related to business operations. Those working in the capacity of corporate training typically need a diploma or degree in a field such as business administration, human resources or communication.

Education: Facilitators in the area of public or private education may be involved in meetings related to curriculum development, or educational policy development. Facilitators in the field of education typically need a degree in education, curriculum development, instructional technology, or a closely related field.

Public Service Agencies: Facilitators are often needed to conduct meetings among various levels of government when they are working together to develop, plan, manage, evaluate or improve public service initiatives. Facilitators in this area typically need a degree in political science, communication, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

Public Service Information Sessions: Public service information sessions are designed to help the public voice their opinions related to various public services, such as healthcare, land-use planning, and transportation initiatives. Facilitators working in this capacity typically need a degree in political science, communication, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

In addition to the above mentioned fields of education, some employers may require their facilitators to have completed specialized facilitator training programs, which may be offered by private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and facilitator certification bodies.