More topics

Coach Network

Last updated on March 7, 2025

On this page

About the Coach Network

The Coach Network is a group of employees who provide coaching to leaders at all levels within the BC Public Service.

Network coaches have valuable experience and knowledge of the BC Public Service work environment and culture. Network coaches do this work as part of, or in addition to, their regular job duties.

Network coaches adhere to BC Public Service values and Standards of Conduct. They also abide by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) code of ethics, standards and core competencies.

Each coach is assigned an advisor from the Coaching Services team and receives ongoing training and development.

Types of network coaches

There are two types of coaches within the Coach Network:

  • Certified coaches: BC Public Service employees with a coaching certification from an accredited coaching program (for example: Executive Coaching Certificate, Royal Roads University)
  • Peer (non-certified) coaches: BC Public Service employees without a coaching certification who have completed coach specific coursework, including the courses offered by the Coaching Services team

Why join the network?

If you are passionate about coaching and seeking opportunities to enhance your career in the BC Public Service, the Coach Network could be for you.

Joining the Coach Network to coach others provides a variety of benefits and opportunities, including:

  • Accelerating your leadership and coaching skills development
  • Increasing your impact on others and your ability to influence change
  • Increasing your professional network and exposure to other areas of the BC Public Service

Ideal candidates for the network are change agents who are:

  • Passionate about coaching and supporting others to reach their fullest potential 
  • Dedicated to ongoing learning and development as a leader and coach
  • Supported by their supervisor to engage in network coaching activities
  • Professionally certified through an accredited coaching program or have an equivalent combination of coach training and experience

Internal and external coaching

Internal coaching refers to coaching provided for free by existing BC Public Service employees, while external coaching entails hiring coaches outside of the BC Public Service in a fee-for-service contract.

While both can be effective, choosing between internal coaching and external coaching can simply be a matter of:

  • Preference for a particular type of coach (is my need more specific?)
  • Availability of coaching resources (is my need urgent?)
  • Availability of budget (is there a cost?)  
  • Distance (would I benefit from a more objective coach with no vested interest?)
  • Objectivity of the coach (Would I benefit from a coach with no vested interest?)

Internal coaches

Internal coaches bring valuable insight into the culture and context of government. They are a popular choice for leaders at all levels.

BC Public Service coaches are considered internal coaches who are either members of the PSA Coaching Services team or the coach network.

For further information on how to request an internal coach, review request coaching services.

External coaches

There are currently two types of external coaches for hire available for leaders and executives in BC Public Service, as follows:

Executive coaching

External executive coaches are most often engaged by organizations to accelerate the development of executives or aspiring senior leaders through psychometric testing, 360 debriefs and individual coaching.

For further information on services provided by each coach and how to contract and engage the services of an executive coach, review the executive coaching page.

Indigenous coaching 

Indigenous coaching offers current and aspiring Indigenous leaders and executives a culturally safe approach to leadership development that may blend coaching with storytelling, teaching and mentoring. It emphasizes a holistic, trauma-informed method aligning with Indigenous employees’ needs and cultural practices.

For further information on Indigenous coaching services and its benefits, review the Indigenous coaching page.

How to join 

To express interest in joining the Coach Network, or to request further information, submit an AskMyHR (IDIR restricted) service request:

  • Select Myself > Career Development > Coaching Services
  • Add MyHR Internal Coach Inquiry to the subject line
  • To assist in processing your request, please indicate if you are a certified coach and/or the type of coach training you have completed. Also, please tell us what interests you in joining the Coach Network and how you can contribute