Building Federal Security Career Pathways for the Next Generation
Posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
On Nov. 26, the Co‑op & Career Centre, in collaboration with the Security Centre of Excellence (SCoE), hosted an exclusive information session for students in public safety and technology programs. The event highlighted career opportunities in Canada’s federal security. It featured a moderated panel discussion exploring pathways in cybersecurity, public safety and personnel security, while offering a perspective on the evolving needs of the federal workforce.
The panel brought together leaders from across government:
- Marc Decary, Deputy Director, Technical and Digital Learning Centre, Global Affairs Canada, emphasized immersive training to build mission‑ready digital skills.
- Yasmine Touijer, Human Resources Advisor, Public Service Commission, outlined modern recruitment practices designed to connect talent nationwide.
- Eric Blanke, Intake Manager, Personnel Security Screening Office (PSSO), Directorate of the Personnel Security and Identity Management (DPSIM), Director General Defence Security (DGDS), Department of National Defence, shared insights on personnel security, identity management, and the importance of attention to detail.
- Nathalie El-Haddad, Acting Team Lead, Personnel Security Screening Office (PSSO), Directorate of the Personnel Security and Identity Management (DPSIM), Director General Defence Security (DGDS), Department of National Defence, shared her experience from transitioning from an entry-level role into a full-time continuous position.
- Robert Provencher, Manager & Senior Advisor, Capacity Building, Security Centre of Excellence, moderated the discussion and underscored the role of community development and readiness.
Students left with clear takeaways: Federal security careers are diverse, recruitment practices are evolving, and capacity building across departments is essential to resilience. Above all, the session reinforced that security work in Canada is mission-driven, focused not only on protecting assets but on building trust, fostering innovation and serving the public good.
