I am an NCDA FCD Master Trainer Preceptor and have trained Master Trainers, Instructors and FCD’s in the US and in the Middle East. My trainings start every two weeks and are posted at careerconsultingconcepts.com and at ncda.org. The training itself is set by NCDA at 120 hours which I offer for 12 weeks with a little extension if needed to 12 weeks in finish the required project. One can have a high school diploma or a doctoral degree to become an FCD. Expect a weekly hour long zoom session with work in the required NCDA FCD Student Manual and several additional assignments including readings, discussion posts, interviews, a recorded intake interview with a client and a final project. At the successful conclusion of the training, a certificate of completion will be issued which allows the applicant to sit for the CSSP credential. This credential will be renewed yearly with a small fee and the completion of CEU’s over several years.

No, but in some cases, it helps. Look at the application and its requirements posted here under “Becoming a FCD Instructor” to see if you qualify. The training is online at present and can be self-paced. My instructor trainings are listed as beginning every two weeks and can be arranged after notification of acceptance

Facilitating Career Development Professional has completed the Facilitating Career Development Training program and either works in any career development setting, or incorporates career development information or skills in their work with students, adults, clients, employees, or the public. A Facilitating Career Development professional has received in-depth training in the areas of career development, in the form of up to 120+ class and/or instructional hours, provided by a nationally trained and qualified instructor.

This title designates individuals working in a variety of career development settings. A Facilitating Career Development professional 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 or 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 Facilitating Career Development training program was developed to provide standards, training specifications, and GFCD credentialing for these career providers. The goal was to define and differentiate two levels of career practice.

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

As a Facilitating Career Development 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.

As defined in the NCDA Code of Ethics, the term Career Professional includes career counselors, career coaches, career consultants, career development facilitators, and anyone else who is a member of NCDA and provides career counseling, career advice/advising, career coaching, career planning, job search assistance, and/or related services. The Code of Ethics further defines a Career Counselor as a professional (or a student who is a career counselor-in-training) with an advanced degree (master’s or doctoral level) in counselor education, counseling psychology or closely related counseling degree, engaged in a career counseling practice or other career counseling-related services. Career counselors fulfill many roles and responsibilities such as career counselor educators, researchers, supervisors, practitioners, and consultants.

Services of career professionals differ, depending on the professional’s level of training, competence, setting, client needs, and other factors. Career counselors, those professionals attaining at least a Master’s degree in counseling or a related degree and who hold state or national license or credentials, advise, coach, and counsel individuals to develop and put into action decisions and plans related to lifestyles and career paths. Strategies, techniques, and assessments used by career counselors are tailored to the specific needs and cultural/diversity considerations of the individual seeking assistance. Depending upon the career counselor’s role and services provided, it is likely one or more of the following services will be offered:

• Conduct individual and group personal counseling sessions addressing the connection between personal and career issues as related to career/life goals and the importance of understanding the overlap between work and other life roles.
• Create a supportive environment to promote self-advocacy and determination.
• Administer and interpret assessments and inventories to evaluate interests, values, abilities, skills, personality traits, and other factors to increase self knowledge and identify career options.
• Facilitate exploratory activities using customized approaches to gather information and increase level of knowledge.
• Introduce, educate, and apply decision-making skills to promote making informed education and career decisions.
• Demonstrate and advise on the use of computer-based systems and internet services as a tool to assist individuals in career planning and understanding the world of work.
• Collaboratively develop short and/or long-term individualized career plans.
• Teach job search strategies and skills to assist in areas such as networking, resume critiques, interview techniques, labor market trends, and salary negotiation.
• Guide through exploration of graduate and professional school options, timeline, preparation, testing requirements and the application process.
• Provide support for individuals experiencing job conflicts, job stress, job loss, and career transition.
• Provide assistance in the selection of a graduate or professional school.
• Make appropriate referrals to other professionals, organizations, and community resources based upon individual’s unique needs or as a result of counselor’s limitations.
• Present and consult with the general public on career development information and resources.
• Engage in local, state, and/or national career development issues affecting social policies and legislation.
• and more!

Ellen Weaver Paquette, CCC is a Master Trainer Preceptor of the NCDA Facilitating Career Development program with two advanced academic degrees in counseling, specializing in career counseling. She has taught graduate level career counseling courses for more than 35 years and has many years of career counseling experience. Ellen offers career counseling to help individuals or groups identify options and alternatives to help develop a career path, often including useful resources. This is not the same nor is it a substitute for therapeutic counseling and should not be regarded as such.

The career counselor will proceed with a current copy of the client’s resume to determine suitability, then will ask for designated electronic payment via credit card or Paypal before scheduling any sessions, such might include a telephone call to ascertain feasibility.

The career counselor reserves the right to cancel or terminate services if the client makes unreasonable demands or participates in out-of-bounds behavior. No third party is privy to the information in the career counseling session unless the client wishes to divulge information themselves. Clients above 21 years of age are ideal whether in the US or worldwide. Cancellations made 24 hours in advance may be rescheduled once.

Each session may include a brief review of the current resume, cover letter or LinkedIn profile with limited suggestions as an overhaul is a separate service which is determined and agreed upon in advance.

Each one-hour virtual session may look at career directions, career vision, barriers to change, sources of industry-based information and LMI. Some informal and informal assessments may be recommended.

Partial refunds are at the discretion of the career counselor.