Completing the “Facilitating Career Development” Training Program

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Individuals who complete Facilitating Career Development training through an approved instructor will be eligible to apply for the following certifications through the National Career Development Association (NCDA):

  • Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) — for individuals from a variety of backgrounds (consultants, coaches, advisors, workforce practitioners, facilitators, trainers, recruiters, and resume writers) to show competency and deliver services in the field of career services.
  • Certified Career Counselor (CCC) — for individuals with an advanced degree (master or doctorate) in counselor education, counseling psychology, rehabilitation counseling, or a closely related counseling degree, who will specialize in delivering career counseling services.

Please note that completing the training alone does not award either certification, but does mean that you can now APPLY for the certification. References and an exam (four case studies) must also be completed, plus payment of an application fee.

Additionally, individuals who complete FCD training are eligible to apply for the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certification offered through the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE), which is also suitable for individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

For the GCDF, in addition to the application fee and the class certificate of completion, work hours related to the twelve FCD competencies must be completed. The number of hours varies based upon your previous educational attainment:

  • 1400 hours with a graduate degree (approx. one year of specifically career development experience)
  • 2800 hours with a bachelor degree (approx. two years of experience)
  • 4200 hours with an associate degree (approx. three years of experience)
  • 5600 hours with a high school diploma/GED (approx. four years of experience)

All certifications listed above are globally recognized and indicate that the credential holders have been trained in the core competencies of the career services field to help people, both individually and in groups, make informed decisions regarding their career development.

The core competencies include:

  1. Helping Skills — Be proficient in the basic career facilitating process while including productive interpersonal relationships.
  2. Labor Market Information and Resources — Understand labor market and occupational information and trends. Be able to use current resources.
  3. Assessment — Comprehend and use (under supervision) both formal and informal career development assessments with emphasis on relating appropriate ones to the population served.
  4. Diverse Populations — Recognize special needs of various groups and adapt services to meet their needs.
  5. Ethical and Legal Issues — Follow the NCDA Code of Ethics and the GCDF Code of Ethics and know current legislative regulations.
  6. Career Development Models — Understand career development theories, models, and techniques as they apply to lifelong development, gender, age, and ethnic background.
  7. Employability Skills — Know job search strategies and placement techniques, especially in working with specific groups.
  8. Training Clients and Peers — Prepare and develop materials for training programs and presentations.
  9. Program Management/Implementation — Understand career development programs and their implementation, and work as a liaison in collaborative relationships.
  10. Promotion and Public Relations — Market and promote career development programs with staff and supervisors.
  11. Technology — Comprehend and use career development computer applications.
  12. Consultation — Accept suggestions for performance improvement from consultants or supervisors.

In addition to the 12 competencies listed above, the curriculum also provides additional chapters that focus on these populations:

  • Business Services and Employer Relations
  • Clients with Disabilities
  • Clients who are Justice—Involved
  • K—12 Students
  • Workforce and Career Development History

Individuals who complete the “Facilitating Career Development” Training Program will learn:

  • Career resources and labor market information
  • Career planning processes
  • Basic helping and facilitation skills
  • Career development models and theories
  • Informal and formal assessment approaches
  • Diversity and specific population needs
  • Development and maintenance of an effective career resource center
  • Training others and program promotion
  • Case management and referral skills
  • Ethical and scope—of—practice issues
  • Professional and resource portfolios
  • Cutting—edge job searching
  • and more . . .!