September 5, 2024 | Alberta

Community Service Workers and Addictions Workers play a critical role in supporting individuals, families, and communities across Alberta. From helping people navigate social services to supporting recovery from substance use, these professionals work on the front lines of social care. 

If you’re considering this career path in Alberta, it’s important to understand the current job market, the typical steps to enter the field, and whether there’s a real difference between being an Addictions Worker and a Community Service Worker. This guide breaks it all down. 

What Does a Community Service and Addictions Worker Do?

Community Service Workers provide practical, emotional, and social support to people facing a wide range of challenges.

Their work often includes: 

• Supporting individuals experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness 
• Assisting clients with accessing community programs and resources 
• Providing basic counseling and life-skills support 
• Working with vulnerable populations such as youth, seniors, newcomers, or individuals with disabilities 

Addictions Workers focus on a more specific client need: substance use and addiction. While their core skills overlap with community service work. 

Their daily responsibilities may involve: 

• Supporting individuals in addiction recovery or harm-reduction programs 
• Assisting with relapse-prevention strategies 
• Facilitating group or one-on-one support sessions 
• Working within treatment centres, detox facilities, or community health programs 

In Alberta, these roles often exist side by side, and many employers expect workers to support clients dealing with multiple, overlapping challenges, including addiction, mental health concerns, housing instability, and social isolation. 

Addictions Worker vs Community Service Worker: Is There a Difference?

This is a common question, and an important one. 

In practice, Addictions Workers and Community Service Workers are closely related roles. In Alberta, an Addictions Worker is best understood as a specialized type of Community Service Worker. 

Key similarities 

• Both roles support individuals and families in the community 
• Both work in non-profits, social agencies, healthcare environments, and community programs 
• Both require strong communication, empathy, and case-management skills 
• Neither role is provincially regulated or licensed in Alberta 

Key difference 

The main distinction is focus, not eligibility. 

• A Community Service Worker typically supports clients with a broad range of social needs (housing, employment readiness, family services, community access). 
• An Addictions Worker focuses primarily on substance use, recovery support, and addiction-related programming. 

Because these roles overlap significantly, job requirements are often the same or very similar. Employers may use different titles depending on the program or funding source, but the foundational expectations, education, client support skills, and community-based experience, are largely aligned. 

This overlap is why many education pathways in Alberta prepare students for both community services and addictions support, allowing graduates to work across multiple settings. 

Bonus Read: What Is Community Service Worker?
 

Job Market Outlook in Alberta 

Provincial labour data indicates that employment for social and community service workers is expected to grow slowly but steadily, driven by: 

• Employment opportunities for this occupation depends mainly on government funding and population demographics.  
• The Alberta government's Budget 2025 added $3.03 billion for increases to disability services, employment supports, affordable housing, homelessness programs and support for vulnerable people. 
• Demand for community integration services may affect the outlook for this occupation.   

Public funding plays a significant role in employment trends. Investments in areas such as homelessness support, disability services, and addiction response programs help sustain long-term demand for community and addictions workers across the province. 

Edmonton and Calgary continue to be the primary employment hubs for social and community services in Alberta, with these urban regions concentrating the majority of job opportunities given their larger populations and greater availability of community-based programs and services. 

A Step-by-Step Guide: Becoming a Community Service or Addictions Worker in Alberta 

Step 1. Understand the role and work environment

Before entering the field, it’s important to understand that this work is people-focused and emotionally demanding. Professionals often support clients experiencing crisis, instability, or long-term challenges. Strong interpersonal skills and resilience are essential. 

Step 2. Complete relevant post-secondary education 

Most employers in Alberta require a college-level diploma related to community services, social support, or addictions work. Education programs typically cover: 

• Human services foundations 
• Counseling and communication skills 
• Ethics and professional boundaries 
• Mental health and addiction awareness 
• Community resources and case management 

Because Community Service Worker and Addictions Worker roles overlap, many programs prepare students for both pathways, offering flexibility in employment after graduation. 

Step 3. Gain practical, hands-on experience

Employers value real-world experience. Practicum placements, fieldwork, or supervised training are common components of community services education and help students develop confidence working directly with clients. 

Step 4. Apply to a range of community-based roles

Graduates may find job titles vary. Positions may be listed as: 

• Community Support Worker 
• Addictions Support Worker 
• Outreach Worker 
• Social Services Worker 
• Recovery Support Worker 

Focusing on the job responsibilities, rather than the title alone, is key when searching for roles in Alberta. 

How CDI College Helps You Start Your Career

CDI College Addictions and Community Services Worker Diploma Program is designed to help students build the foundational skills needed for entry-level roles in community support and addiction-related services. The training blends practical experience with industry-recognized credentials that are relevant to employers in Alberta. 

Key ways the program supports career preparation include: 

Industry-Recognized Credentials 

Students can earn certifications such as Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), First Aid, and CPR-C, which are commonly required or preferred in community support settings. 

Hands-On Practicum Experience

 
A structured 300-hour practicum allows students to apply classroom learning in real community service environments. 

Alignment with Industry Standards 

The curriculum is recognized by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF), reflecting established practices in addictions support. 

Job-Relevant Skill Development

 
Training focuses on client support, professional communication, ethics, and understanding community resources. 

By completing structured training and earning these credentials, individuals gain a clearer understanding of client-focused work, supportive communication techniques, and workplace readiness—key elements for starting in community and addictions support positions in Alberta.  

The program is available at several campuses across Alberta, including Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer, making it accessible to students throughout the province.   

Final Thoughts

Becoming a Community Service Worker or Addictions Worker in Alberta offers an opportunity to support individuals and communities through meaningful, people-focused work. While the two roles are often described separately, they share similar requirements and skill sets, with the primary difference being the type of client support provided. 

Employment opportunities remain steady across the province, particularly in Edmonton and Calgary, where community-based services continue to play an important role. With the right training and practical preparation, individuals can build a strong foundation for entering this field and contributing to Alberta’s social support system.