School Career Development Advisor Training and Certification Program
School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) Training is designed for providers who work in many settings and help prepare students for meaningful work and managing their careers. These providers work with other staff to coordinate the design, implementation, and monitoring of school and community-based efforts to improve the chances of students entering the job market with skills, knowledge, and credentials to be competitive.
The objectives for the SCDA Training are organized into two primary competency areas (1) knowledge of skills related to student advising and (2) knowledge of skills related to working with business and industry. SCDA Training can be offered independently, for those with school experience, or it can be offered in collaboration with Facilitating Career Development (FCD) Training for those who want more information on providing quality career development services. SCDA Training is a total of 48 hours of instruction. It can be offered online as well as in the traditional face-to-face delivery.
News:
School Career Development Advisor Instructor Training - TBD
What is a School Career Development Advisor?
School Career Development Advisors work in the K-12 sector to help prepare students for meaningful work and managing their careers. These advisors work with other staff to coordinate the design, implementation, and monitoring of school and community-based efforts to improve the chances of students entering the job market with skills, knowledge, and credentials to be competitive. Examples of this work may include providers of career education, key contacts with business and industry, and organizers of events such as career days, job fairs, or internships/externships.
What is NCDA's School Career Development Advisor Training?
The training focuses on:
- Business Development and Relations
- Career Services in the K-12 Sector
- Working as a School Career Development Advisor
The training is based on the competencies that are addressed by the NCDA Facilitating Career Development and School Career Development Advisor curriculum:
- Helping Skills - Be proficient in the basic career facilitating process while including productive interpersonal relationships.
- Labor Market Information and Resources - Understand labor market and occupational information and trends. Be able to use current resources.
- Assessment - Comprehend and use (under supervision) both formal and informal career development assessments with emphasis on relating appropriate ones to the population served.
- Diverse Populations - Recognize special needs of various groups and adapt services to meet their needs.
- Ethical and Legal Issues - Follow the NCDA Code of Ethics and the GCDF Code of Ethics and know current legislative regulations.
- Career Development Models - Understand career development theories, models, and techniques as they apply to lifelong development, gender, age, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Employability Skills - Know job search strategies and placement techniques, especially in working with specific groups.
- Training Clients and Peers - Prepare and develop materials for training programs and presentations.
- Program Management/Implementation - Understand career development programs and their implementation, and work as a liaison in collaborative relationships.
- Promotion and Public Relations - Market and promote career development programs with staff and supervisors.
- Technology - Comprehend and use career development computer applications
- Consultation - Accept suggestions for performance improvement from consultants or supervisors.
Participants will be expected to complete all required reading and assignments given during the 48 hours of training.
Individuals who have completed the NCDA School Career Development Training and Certification Program are eligible to apply for NCDA's Certified School Career Development Advisor Credential. Those holding a master's degree in School Counseling with three years’ experience in career development may also apply immediately without attending the training.
Questions can be directed to Mary Ann Powell
