Oral | Innovating Tomorrow's Workforce: Human Centered Design and Diversity in Action
Tracks
| Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
| P4 |
Synopsis
This presentation explores the journey of an internationally trained social work professional entering the Child and Youth Care (CYC) field in Canada, highlighting barriers and opportunities for immigrant professionals. It examines how human-centered design, through models like CARE: Creating Conditions for Change, can improve outcomes for marginalized youth, drawing parallels with immigrant experiences. It also outlines strategies to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse, culturally responsive workforce. The presenter, now President of the Alberta College of Social Workers—the regulatory body for 9,000 social workers—will include Alberta-specific data and insights to highlight the value of diversity and innovation in strengthening the sector.
Speaker
Mr Samuel Mammen
Program Director
Oak Hill Ranch
Innovating Tomorrow's Workforce: Human-Centered Design and Diversity in Action
Biography
Samuel Mammen is a Program Director, Therapeutic Campus-Based Care, at Oak Hill Ranch. Working with youth at risk, supporting and training staff and building community capacity has remained his passion. He is a TCI trainer and CARE educator with RCCP, Cornell University. He is also a Sessional Instructor at the School of Social Work, MacEwan University. He has worked in India, Saudi Arabia and Canada. He has presented at international conferences and trained practitioners in Canada, India, UAE and USA.
