Global Career Development Facilitator

The Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certification is an evolution of the Career Development Facilitator (CDF) certification developed in response to a RFP from the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee (NOICC). The winning proposal went to Oakland University in Michigan where the initial development began under the leadership of Howard Splete. In 2000, when NOICC was eliminated and the employees were split between the USDOL and USDED, the curriculum program was awarded to the National Career Development Association (NCDA) to promote and train practitioners. The Working Ahead curriculum was the second program, developed at Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, with a linkage the USDOL resources—different from the first program with greater emphasis towards USDOE resources. Since then, numerous programs have been developed. The National Employment Counseling Association in partnership with Life Strategies, following the Heldrich Center model, developed the first completely online version with full instructor support. Graduates from approved programs apply for GCDF certification from the Center for Credentialing in Education (CCE), an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (Center for Credentialing in Education, 1997). The credential recognizes the education and experience of those working in CDF occupations like careers advisory services and employment services. GCDF have successfully completed an approved CDF training program (over 120 hours and maintain continuing education credits or lose certification) and have met and verified specific educational and experience requirements.

GCDF training is built around 12 core competencies identified by career counseling experts. A period of supervised career facilitation practice also is required prior to certification. The 12 competency areas addressed in GCDF training are Helping Skills, Labor Market Information and Resources, Assessment, Diverse Populations, Ethical and Legal Issues, Career Development Models, Employability Skills, Training Clients and Peers, Program Management and Implementation, Promotion and Public Relations, Technology, and Supervision (Brawley, 2002; National Career Development Association, 2007; Splete & Hoppin, 2000). In light of cultural concerns with the development of the GCDF outside the United States, the tasks within each of the competency areas are adapted to meet the needs of a particular country's context.

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