GCDF Kentucky -- Global Career Development Facilitator Training for the Future of Kentucky's Workforce

About GCDF

Global Career Development Facilitators (GCDFs) are workforce professionals who help people meet their career goals by providing career counseling and facilitation. GCDFs can be found in various settings, including: Career One-Stop Centers, Employment Services, Veterans Programs, Job Corps, High Schools, Colleges, and Private Placement Services.

The GCDF certification was developed in 1997 by the Center for Credentialing and Education, the National Career Development Association, and the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee to provide professional standards and training specifications that ensure workforce professionals are expertly equipped to improve the lives of their clients.

The GCDF certification is now recognized internationally as an indicator that workforce professionals are trained to meet the exact needs of their customers in the most effective manner possible.

GCDF training and certification is provided in Kentucky through a cooperative partnership between the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and Career Span.

If you are located in Kentucky, and you or your organization is involved in helping people find employment, decide on a career path, or employ a strategy for making a career change, the highly interactive GCDF training program is for you.



About GCDF Global Career Development Facilitators (GCDFs) are workforce professionals who help people meet their career goals by providing career counseling and facilitation. GCDFs can be found in various settings, including: Career One-Stop Centers, Employment Services, Veterans Programs, Job Corps, High Schools, Colleges, and Private Placement Services. The GCDF certification was developed in 1997 by the Center for Credentialing and Education, the National Career Development Association, and the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee to provide professional standards and training specifications that ensure workforce professionals are expertly equipped to improve the lives of their clients. The GCDF certification is now recognized internationally as an indicator that workforce professionals are trained to meet the exact needs of their customers in the most effective manner possible. GCDF training and certification is provided in Kentucky through a cooperative partnership between the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and Career Span. If you are located in Kentucky, and you or your organization is involved in helping people find employment, decide on a career path, or employ a strategy for making a career change, the highly interactive GCDF training program is for you.	...	Frequently Asked Questions What is the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential? The Global Career Development Facilitator credential (GCDF) is a professional credential certifying an individual who studies and demonstrates 12 essential competencies designated by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). It is a career-development credential for individuals working with others and groups as a: • Workforce Investment Act (WIA) case manager or director • high school guidance counselor • training specialist • human resources professional • youth case manager • intake interviewer • occupational and labor market information resource person • employment specialist • youth services coordinator or director • workforce development specialist or facilitator • local veterans employment representative What are the 12 competencies studied in GCDF training? All GCDF trainings focus on 12 core competencies of career development: 1. The basics of helping skills. 2. Knowing labor market information and resources. 3. Understanding career assessments and their benefits and limitations. 4. Working with diverse populations. 5. Knowing and abiding by the ethical code and understanding legal issues. 6. Having a foundation of understanding career development models. 7. Knowing employability skills. 8. Training clients and peers. 9. Program management/implementation. 10. Promotion and public relations. 11. Understanding technology in career development. 12. Supervision. What are the benefits of pursuing a GCDF credential through this training program? • You will have a unique opportunity to connect and develop relationships with other GCDF professionals from across Kentucky. • The credential will increase the level of your professionalism. • You will gain a plethora of resources and skills to assist your clients. • You will have the opportunity to increase your "fair market value" in the workplace by having a professional credential. • You will have the opportunity to learn! How long will GCDF training take, and where is the training held? Classes begin in July and meet until graduation weekend the following May. No classes are held in December in observance of the Christmas holiday. The training is held in two-day blocks on Fridays and Saturdays. The 2008-2009 schedule is: July 11-12 August 8-9 September 12-13 October 10-11 November 7-8 December off January 9-10 February 6-7 March 13-14 April 17-18 May 8-9 The classes are held at the Sleep Inn hotel at 1920 Plaudit Place, Lexington, Ky. All classes run from 6-9 p.m. on Fridays, and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. What can I expect in a typical training? There are "mini" PowerPoint lectures (no more than 10-15 minutes) that move into lively classroom discussions, group activities, and active assignments that make the time fly by quickly. Classes also take small breaks during which trainees can socialize with one another. What kind of experience and education do I need to participate in GCDF training? According to the National Career Development Association (NCDA), GCDFs must possess one of the combinations of education and work experience specified below: • a graduate degree plus an estimated one year of career development work experience • a 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 • a high school diploma/GED plus an estimated four years of career development work experience How many hours of study does GCDF training require? This training program involves a total of 120 hours of classroom instruction and homework. This total includes 90 hours of face-to-face training with two certified GCDF instructors, and an additional 30 hours of at-home work on monthly homework assignments that are due at each training session. Who are the certified GCDF instructors? The training program's certified instructors are Carla Ockerman-Hunter and Caroline Francis. Both have been named Master Career Counselors by the National Career Development Association (NCDA), and have been certified to instruct in the GCDF training. Here is Carla's bio: GCDF Kentucky Instructors Here is Caroline's: GCDF Kentucky Instructors What is the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP)? The Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) is a state- and federally-funded workforce development agency based in Hazard, Ky. EKCEP administers more than a dozen state and federal employment and training and employer services in 23 eastern Kentucky counties through its JobSight network of workforce centers. EKCEP contracts with certified GCDF instructors Carla Ockerman-Hunter (president of Career Span, Inc.) and Caroline Francis to deliver GCDF training to workforce professionals in Kentucky. Visit EKCEP's website here: www.ekcep.org What is the National Career Development Association (NCDA)? The National Career Develoment Association (NCDA) is a division of the American Counseling Association that specializes in career development. It is the umbrella organization for the GCDF credential. Visit their link: www.ncda.org What is the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE)? The Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) is the organization that certifies trainees as a GCDF. CCE collaborates with the NCDA to make sure trainees meet the specified requirements of a GCDF certification, including continuing education requirements once certification is achieved. A total of 75 hours of continuing education must be completed over a five-year period. Visit their link: www.cce-global.org What are past graduates of this GCDF training saying about their experience? Take a look at their testimonials: Testimonials	...	is a partnership of Certified by the Center for Credentialing and Education An approved curriculum and training provider
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