Training Needs of Career Development Counsellors and Facilitators

Abstract

This article describes the need for trained career development personnel to assist in a variety of settings. The professional role and training requirements in the United States and Australia show a marked similarity in recent government attention to the area and in the sequence and timing of initiatives. A disparity that exists between state provisions of training and expectations of standards is receiving attention from national government bodies and national professional associations. Professional bodies in both countries are currently developing national certification and accreditation guidelines and procedures, but the United States, with its tradition of training, supervision and examination, has moved much further along the accreditation path than Australia. Some of the major issues concerning the certification and accreditation of careers practitioners and examples of training and curriculum models are provided. The article provides a glimpse of future directions in the profession of career counselling.