Overview

• What is a CDF?
• What is a GCDF?
• Why should I consider CDF training?
• What will I learn?
• How can I get training?
• CDF Competencies
• History

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NCDA CDF Training provides individuals with relevant skills and knowledge to assist others in planning careers and obtaining meaningful work. Established in 1913, NCDA is the premier provider of professional development in the career field. With a nationwide system of instructors, NCDA has prepared over 18,000 CDFs for inter/national certification.

NCDA Outstanding Career Development Facilitator Award 2010 

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2010 Award Winner

Colleen Pate, GCDF, Career Development and Communications Coordinator, Isaac Bear Early College, Wilmington, North Carolina

It is with great pleasure that we award the second NCDA Career Development Facilitator Award to Colleen Pate.

2010 Honorable Mentions

We would be remiss if we did not recognize the other outstanding nominees for the NCDA Career Development Facilitator Award 2010. (Click on the name to see a short bio of the nominee).

• Kristina Ierardi, GCDF, Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable, MA
• Elizabeth Craig, GCDF, ELC Global, LLC, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
• Angela Goss, GCDF, Horry County Schools, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Lisa A. Harsh, GCDF, Project Succeed Program, Northwest College, Powell, Wyoming
• Thomas R. Stowell, GCDF, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
• Jessica Greene, GCDF, Ocean Bay Middle School, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Loretta Dawson, GCDF, Workforce Investment Board of Solano County, Fairfield and Vallejo, California
• Ahmed Mostafa Kamal, GCDF, Giza, Egypt 

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What is a Career Development Facilitator (CDF)?

A Career Development Facilitator (CDF) is a person who works in any career development setting or who incorporates career development information or skills in their work with students, adults, clients, employees, or the public. A CDF has received in-depth training in the areas of career development in the form of up to 120+ class/instructional hours, provided by a nationally trained and qualified instructor.

This occupational title designates individuals working in a variety of career development settings. 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, or workforce development staff person.

The counseling profession has made great progress in defining professional counseling and career counseling. However, several professional groups recognized that many individuals who are currently providing career assistance are not professional counselors. The CDF credential was developed to provide standards, training specifications, and credentialing for these career providers. The goal was to define and differentiate two levels of career practice.

Click here for a VIDEO presentation on the CDF Training Program and GCDF Credential.

 

What is A Global Career Development Facilitator  (GCDF)?

This credential recognizes the education and experience of those working in CDF occupations. Candidates must have successfully completed an approved CDF training program and meet specific educational and experience requirements. 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.

 

Why Should I Consider CDF Training?

CDF training can enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals who work in any type of career development setting.

As a CDF participant, you will receive training in each of the 12 career development competencies. Whether you take the class at home or in the classroom, the training includes hands-on and interactive teaching methods and opportunities to interact with colleagues from a variety of work settings. Since the course content covers 12 important competencies, there is plenty of opportunity to build skills and knowledge in areas that are new to you, as well as enhance and develop those that you use every day in your 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 . . .!

 

How Can I Get the CDF Training?

NCDA's Career Development Facilitator 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. Some instructors conduct a hybrid course utilizing face-to-face instruction with some eLearning instruction. CDF instructors have an extensive background in career counseling or planning and all of the CDF Competencies. In addition, they have worked, taught, or trained in a variety of settings. Please visit the Training Calendar for a list of CDF classes.  If you are considering being an eLearning student, take this brief self-assessment.