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Employment Trends
Therapeutic Recreation Practitioners are part of the larger occupational field of therapy and assessment professionals. According to Work Futures (a major career-assessment project of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and BC's Ministry of Advanced Education), all professionals in this field "have experienced significant employment growth in the past decade."
There are two main reasons for the continuing demand for the services of this occupational group: the growing and aging population and technological innovations and advancements.
As the baby-boom generation approaches older middle age, "they are more likely to suffer from chronic and debilitating conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes and loss of hearing, and will therefore require therapeutic services. In the long run, more employment opportunities are likely to be in long term care facilities, senior residences, and other community-based rehabilitation centres," states the Work Futures document.
Technological innovations and advancements also contribute to employment in this area. Advanced life-saving technologies improve the survival rates of severe injuries and those of children with severe birth defects. Both groups will require ongoing treatment and services in rehabilitative care centres and group homes.
Diploma and Degree graduates work in various health, social service and recreation agencies including hospitals, long term care facilities for older adults, youth assessment centers, rehabilitation settings, group homes, mental health settings, adult day centres, rehabilitation centres, correctional facilities, municipal recreation centres and agencies working with people with developmental disabilities.
