09/28/2004Introductory letter by the president of Japan Career Development AssociationI greatly appreciate this opportunity to introduce the Japan Career Development Association (JCDA). JCDA was established in 2000, and has become the first NCDA international affiliate in 2002. In that same year, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan announced a national policy to train and prepare 50,000 career counselors within the next five years. The number may seem rather ludicrous considering the delicate characteristic of career counselor education. However, the policy proved the importance of career counselors in society. JCDA is one of the pioneers to train career counselors and advocate career education in Japan. I remember that when I first spoke at the NCDA delegate assembly three years ago, members applauded for the increase of JCDA members to 300. I am proud to announce that as of today, we have more than 2,700 members. These members are comprised of career professionals in school, cooperate, and government settings. Some work as individual contractors but most of them are fully employed. |