• What is the NCDA Career Development Facilitator (CDF) Training Program?
• What will I learn?
• What kind of job can I get with the CDF training?
• Tell me more about the CDF Training Program.
• I'm interested. How can I get trained?
• How do I find a training program?
• I've looked at the training calendar but I still can't find a course.
• I still can't find a course!
• I just finished the CDF course, now what?
• I now have the CDF training, a GCDF Credential, and several years of experience. Where can I go from here?
• How do I become an NCDA CDF Instructor?
• I've been an NCDA CDF Instructor for several years and have conducted numerous CDF courses. Where can I go from here?
• What are the three tiers of NCDA CDF Training?
• I've been through an approved NCDA CDF Instructor Certification Workshop and I would like to be listed on the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry. How do I do this?
• I am a trained NCDA CDF Instructor and I am not listed on the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry nor do I have my GCDF Credential. Are there any requirements that I must meet in order to teach the course?
• What is the difference between a Career Development Facilitator (CDF) and a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)?
• What is a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)?
• How can a GCDF credential be obtained?
• Why was the GCDF credential developed?
• Which groups were involved in the development of the CDF concept?
• I have been working in the career development field for several years but have not taken any specific coursework or training. Where can I get the required training for the credential?
• I work full time and don't feel I have the time to be in a classroom for training. What are my options?
• Where can I purchase NCDA's CDF curriculum?
• Whom do I contact for more information?

What is the NCDA Career Development Facilitator (CDF) Training Program?

CDF Training provides individuals with relevant skills and knowledge to assist others in planning careers and obtaining meaningful work.

What will I 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. . .

What kind of job can I get with the CDF training?

A CDF may serve as a:

• Career group facilitator
• Job search trainer
• Career resource center coordinator
• Career coach
• Career development case manager
• Intake interviewer
• Occupational and labor market information resource person
• Human resource career development coordinator
• Employment/placement specialist
• Workforce development staff person
• and more…

Tell me more about the CDF Training Program.

The CDF Training Program is an intense training program that includes up to 120 hours of instruction. The Training Program is taught by knowledgeable instructors who have been trained in the delivery of the curriculum. The curriculum addresses major career development areas and provides up-to-date resources, references, career-related website and much more. The NCDA CDF Curriculum has been approved by the Center for Credentialing and Education. Individuals that successfully complete the CDF Training Program are eligible to apply for the Global Career Development Facilitator Credential.

I'm interested. How can I get trained?

The NCDA CDF Training is available in two modes of delivery. Individuals can attend traditional face-to-face classroom trainings or participate in the eLearning mode of delivery. While the eLearning course is primarily self-paced, there are some face-to-face classroom requirements. Some instructors conduct a hybrid course utilizing more face-to-face instruction with some eLearning instruction.

How do I find a training program?

You will first need to consider what training method you would prefer as well as your location. If you think you would like the eLearning mode of delivery because of your learning style or location please take this brief student self-assessment to see if you are a candidate.

Once you determine the mode of delivery you prefer, check the training calendar for specific dates and locations of a CDF program.

I've looked at the training calendar but I still can't find a course.

If you are having trouble locating a course in your area, please Search for Instructors in your area. Sometimes, instructors do not post their cours offerings on the NCDA website. By contacting the instructors in your area you may find the perfect course for your needs.

I still can't find a course!

There are a number of instructors that are willing to conduct customized workshops or offer open entry/open exit programs. You may also want to consider an eLearning course that is not in your area. Some eLearning courses only require one 3- or 4-day face-to-face meeting and the remainder of the coursework is done on your own.

I just finished the CDF course, now what?

Education and work experience requirements are indicated below:

• Graduate degree plus an estimated one year of career development work experience;
• Bachelor's degree plus an estimated two years of career development work experience;
• Two years of college plus an estimated three years of career development work experience; or
• A high school diploma/GED plus an estimated four years of career development work experience.

Benefits of the GCDF credential include:

• A national/portable credential
• A marketable certification
• Professional recognition
• Clarification of scope and practice

For more information on the GCDF credential, please visit the Center for Credentialing and Education website.

I now have the CDF training, a GCDF Credential, and several years of experience. Where can I go from here?

You may want to consider becoming an NCDA CDF Instructor and train others to become Career Development Facilitators.

How do I become an NCDA CDF Instructor?

NCDA CDF Instructors are individuals that have completed one of our approved Instructor Certification Programs. Qualified individuals must be accepted into one of the Instructor Certification  Programs which are offered at various dates and locations through the country.

Successful instructor applicants usually have:

• 5-10 years of career development background
• Training experience with adults
• Professional affiliations
• Presentations/publications of books/training materials
• Advanced degrees

The NCDA CDF Instructor Certification Workshop includes:

• Three days of instruction on the NCDA CDF Curriculum.
•  An experiential approach - participants practice teaching the CDF competencies with feedback from NCDA Master Trainers
  .

Once an individual successfully completes the CDF Instructor Certification Program and joins the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry, they are ready to instruct their own CDF Course.

I've been an NCDA CDF Instructor for several years and have conducted numerous CDF courses. Where can I go from here?

You may want to consider becoming an NCDA Master Trainer and train others to become instructors of the NCDA CDF Curriculum.

Master Trainer workshops are typically held every three years. The next training is scheduled for the fall of 2014. Please check the website periodically for updates, selection criteria, and workshop information. Please note: in order to apply for the NCDA CDF Master Trainer workshop, you must be a member of the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry.

What are the three tiers of NCDA CDF Training?

NCDA - CDF Master Trainer

• Trainers are selected through an application process. Selection is based on regional location, commitment, and instructor experience.
• Training is scheduled on as "as needed" basis. The next workshop is planned for the fall of 2014.
• There are currently 37 NCDA CDF Master Trainers at this time throughout the United States and Canada.
• Certification is provided through NCDA.

NCDA - CDF Instructor

• Selected through an application process. Selection is based on education, experience, and commitment.
• Applicants must meet minimum qualifications as indicated on NCDA website.
• Certified Instructors must successfully complete a 24-hour Instructor Certification Workshop given by a certified NCDA Master Trainer.
• Certification is provided through NCDA.
• Joining the NCDA's Instructor Registry is optional but encouraged.
  • The registry offers:
    • Advertisement of your CDF classes on the NCDA Website
    • Automatic receipt of updates to curriculum
    • Your name appears on the registry as a nationally certified instructor.
• As an NCDA CDF Instructor you are eligible to continue your training and receive the eLearning Instructor Specialty. This specialty will allow you to utilize the NCDA CDF eLearning Curriculum.

GCDF (Global Career Development Facilitator) Certification

• Certification is based on the individual participating in a Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) approved training for a total of 120 hours. They must also meet education and experience requirements as indicated on CCE's GCDF application (http://www.cce-global.org/credentials-offered/gcdf-home).
• Certification is provided by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).
• Certification is limited to those participants who attend training from a certified instructor.
• Certification is for 5 years with recertification requirements of continuing education.
• Trainings are provided through, but not limited to, Universities, Colleges, State Agencies, Private Providers

I've been through an approved NCDA CDF Instructor Certification Workshop and I would like to be listed on the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry. How do I do this?

In order to be listed on the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry, you need to contact Mary Ann Powell, NCDA CDF Director, and obtain a CDF Instructor Registry Application Form. The initial application fee is $100 and each subsequent year is $50. Membership on the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry allows you to promote your CDF programs on the NCDA Website, receive periodic updates via email, access to additional Resource Guides, and a complimentary copy of the curriculum each time it is updated. Curriculum is currently being updated every 3 years. The next update is scheduled for the spring of 2015.

I am a trained NCDA CDF Instructor and I am not listed on the NCDA CDF Instructor Registry nor do I have my GCDF Credential. Are there any requirements that I must meet in order to teach the course?

Yes, there are requirements that you must meet in order to teach the NCDA CDF Curriculum. In April of 2004, the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE), began requiring all CDF Instructors to either be a member of an approved Instructor Registry or obtain their GCDF Credential. If an instructor does not meet one of these criteria, their students will not be able to obtain their GCDF Credential. Participating on an Approved CDF Instructor Registry or obtaining your GCDF Credential also requires you to obtain 75 hours of continuing education during the 5-year certification period. It is not necessary that you do both, but you must do one or the other in order to teach the CDF Curriculum.

What is the difference between a Career Development Facilitator (CDF) and a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)?

The Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) recently added the word Global to Career Development Facilitator to reflect the growing popularity of this credential. The GCDF credential is now available in several countries. The credential remains the same in the United States.

What is a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)?

This title designates individuals working in a variety of career development settings. Under supervision from a qualified counselor, a GCDF may serve as a career group facilitator, job search trainer, career resource center coordinator, career coach, career development case manager, intake interviewer, occupational and labor market information resource person, human resource career development coordinator, employment/placement specialist, or workforce development staff persons.

How can a GCDF credential be obtained?

GCDF certification is being granted through the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE), a subsidiary of the National Board for Certified Counselors. Phone (336) 482-2856 to request a CDF application packet or log on to their website at http://www.cce-global.org/.

Why was the GCDF credential developed?

The counseling profession has made great progress in defining professional counseling and the career counseling specialty through such efforts as NCDA's career counseling competencies and code of ethics, and state licensing and registry requirements. However, several professional groups recognized that many individuals who are currently providing career assistance are not professional counselors. The GCDF credential was developed to provide standards, training specifications and credentialing for these many career providers. The goal was to define and differentiate two levels of career practice, and to clarify the need for supervision of GCDFs by professional counselors.

Which groups were involved in the development of the CDF concept?

Initial leadership was taken by the National Occupational Information Coordination Committee (NOICC) through its Career Development Training Institute (CDTI) which had representatives from 15 associations on its Board. Through a CDTI grant to Oakland University, Howard Splete, Judy Hoppin and others developed CDF competencies and a CDF instructor training curriculum. Later various groups worked with CCE/NBCC to develop requirements for the GCDF credential. These organizations, including the National Career Development Association, the National Employment Counseling Association, and the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, endorsed the GCDF credential.

I have been working in the career development field for several years but have not taken any specific coursework or training. Where can I get the required training for the credential?

The NCDA website lists training or trainers in your area. See Training Calendar and Search for Instructors.

I work full time and don't feel I have the time to be in a classroom for training. What are my options?

Many approved trainers offer flexible schedules including intensive weekend only options. NCDA has also recently developed the eLearning version of the CDF curriculum. This offers the greatest flexibility for students. For a list of the eLearning Training Programs please visit the Calendar section.

Where can I purchase NCDA's CDF curriculum?

You can purchase the CDF curriculum by visiting the Career Resource Store or by contacting our office toll-free (866) 367-6232. The cost of the Instructor Package is $200 and includes the instructor manual, student manual, and a CD-ROM with resource masters. The student manuals are $75/ea. for quantities up to 19 and $65/ea. for 20 or more manuals. eLearning DVDs are $20 each.

Whom do I contact for more information?

The CDF Project Director is Mary Ann Powell. She can be reached at the NCDA Headquarters

National Career Development Association
305 N. Beech Circle
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Phone: (918) 663-7060 or toll-free (866) 367-6232
FAX: (918) 663-7058
E-mail: mpowell@ncda.org