Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I become an NCDA Instructor?
NCDA 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 FCD Instructor Certification Workshop includes:
- Three days of instruction on the NCDA Curriculum.
- An experiential approach - participants practice teaching the GCDF competencies with feedback from NCDA Master Trainers.
Then...
- Join the NCDA Instructor Registry
- Instruct you own course.
Who do I contact for more information?
The Project Director is Mary Ann Powell. She can be reached at the NCDA Headquarters (note, the office is closed on Fridays).
National Career Development Association
305 N. Beech Circle
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Phone: (918) 663-7060
FAX: (918) 663-7058
E-mail: mpowell@ncda.org
Where can I purchase NCDA's curriculum?
You can purchase the curriculum by visiting the Career Resource Store or by contacting our office. 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 $100/ea. for quantities up to 19 and $90/ea. for 20 or more manuals.
I work full time and don't feel I have the time to be in a classroom for training. What are my options?
Most approved trainers offer flexible schedules including intensive weekend only options. For a list of the online/hybrid Training Programs please Search for a Scheduled Course or Explore Flexible Courses.
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, as well as online options. You can click on Search for a Scheduled Course or you may Explore Flexible Courses.
Where do Career Service Providers work?
This title designates individuals working in a variety of career development settings. A career service provider 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.
What is the difference between a Career Services Provider, a Career Development Facilitator and a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)?
The term Career Services Provider refers to an individual who has successfully completed an NCDA training program. Career Services Provider replaced the term Career Development Facilitator in 2017 for NCDA's training program. The Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) 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.
I am a trained NCDA Instructor and I am not listed on the NCDA 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 Curriculum. Your NCDA Instructor Registry membership must be current. In addition, the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) requires all 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 CCSP or GCDF Credential. Participating on an Approved 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 NCDA Curriculum.
I've been through an approved NCDA Instructor Training Workshop and I would like to be listed on the NCDA Instructor Registry. How do I do this?
In order to be listed on the NCDA Instructor Registry, you need to contact Mary Ann Powell, NCDA Special Projects Director, and obtain a Instructor Registry Application Form. The initial application fee is $100 and each subsequent year is $50. In addition, Registry members must also be NCDA members. Membership on the NCDA Instructor Registry allows you to promote your 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. Currently, the curriculum is updated every 3 years and can be found in the NCDA Career Resource Store.
What are the three tiers of NCDA Training?
NCDA Master Trainer
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Trainers are selected through an application process. Selection is based on regional location, commitment, and instructor experience.
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Training is scheduled on as "as needed" basis.
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There are currently 37 NCDA FCD Master Trainers at this time throughout the United States and Canada.
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Certification is provided through NCDA.
NCDA Instructor
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Selected through an application process. Selection is based on education, experience, and commitment.
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Applicants must meet minimum qualifications.
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Certified Instructors must successfully complete a 24-hour Instructor Certification Workshop given by a certified NCDA Master Trainer.
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Certification is provided through NCDA.
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Joining the NCDA's Instructor Registry is optional but encouraged.
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The registry offers:
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Advertisement of your classes on the NCDA Website
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Automatic receipt of updates to curriculum
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Your name appears on the registry as a nationally certified instructor.
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As an NCDA Instructor you are eligible to continue your training and receive the eLearning Instructor Specialty. This specialty will allow you to set up your training program online.
GCDF (Global Career Development Facilitator) Certification
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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).
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Certification is provided by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).
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Certification is limited to those participants who attend training from a certified instructor.
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Certification is for 5 years with recertification requirements of continuing education.
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Training may be provided through, but not limited to, universities, colleges, state agencies, private providers.
I've been an NCDA Instructor for several years and have conducted numerous 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 Curriculum.
Master Trainer workshops are typically held every three years. Please check the website periodically for updates, selection criteria, and workshop information. Please note: in order to apply for the NCDA Master Trainer workshop, you must be a member of the NCDA Instructor Registry.
What is the NCDA Facilitating Career Development Training Program?
Facilitating Career Development (FCD) Training provides individuals with relevant skills and knowledge to assist others in planning careers and obtaining meaningful work. (Until 2017, it was called Career Development Facilitator Training, or CDF).
I have completed the training, have the CCSP Credential, and several years of experience. Where can I go from here?
You may want to consider becoming an NCDA FCD Instructor and train others to become Career Services Providers.
I just finished the 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 still can't find a course!
There are a number of instructors that are willing to conduct custom training or offer open entry/open exit programs. Visit the Explore Flexible Courses listing.
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 course offerings on the NCDA website. By contacting the instructors in your area you may find the desired course for your needs.
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. Courses are offered in traditional face-to-face format, online, or hybrid (a combination of traditional and online).
Once you determine the mode of delivery you prefer, search for a course using the links on the left sidebar or below.
I'm interested. How can I get trained?
The NCDA Training is available in two modes of delivery. Individuals can attend traditional face-to-face classroom training or participate in an online course. A course may be a hybrid course utilizing face-to-face instruction with online instruction.
Tell me more about the Facilitating Career Development Training Program.
The Facilitating Career Development 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 Curriculum has been approved by the Center for Credentialing and Education. Individuals that successfully complete the NCDA Training Program are eligible to apply for the new NCDA Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) credential or the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential.
What kind of job might I get with the training?
- 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…
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. . .
