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.

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.