What is a CDA? - Differences from the National Career Consultant Qualification and the Appeal/Benefits of CDA
Hello. This is the official note of the Japan Career Development Association (JCDA). Thank you for always reading our posts.
Up until now, we have been sending you information about our JCDA activities and events, as well as guidance on renewal training for the national career consultant qualification.
This time, I would like to explain what a "CDA" actually is, as well as the "differences from the national career consultant qualification" and the "appeal and benefits of being a CDA."
1. What is a CDA?
CDA (Career Development Adviser) is a qualification certified by the Japan Career Development Association (JCDA). Based on a positive view of humanity that everyone has an "ideal self," it is characterized by promoting the growth of self-concept through the client's own realizations and supporting "a way of living and working that is unique to that person." Already, more than 22,000 qualification holders are active in various fields.
At JCDA, we believe that everyone possesses the energy of "I want to be this way." In daily life, you may rarely be conscious of this "ideal self." However, in reality, people feel, think, and make choices unique to themselves through their "ideal self" regarding the various events that occur every day. And these things are what lead to who they are now. Each person has an original life story woven in this way, and each one is irreplaceable.
By viewing each person's existence as irreplaceable and supporting the client to live in their own way with what they value as the axis---
If we respect what is precious to each individual, it will eventually lead to a society full of diversity where it is easier for everyone to live together.
"Designing a better society while respecting the individual"
That is the role of a CDA.
2. Differences between CDA and the National Career Consultant Qualification
There is a national career consultant qualification as a qualification related to career development support. Career consultants were established in April 2016 due to the revision of the Vocational Ability Development Promotion Act. JCDA conducts the national career consultant examination as a national registration examination agency.
The CDA qualification began certification in 2000. We have been training supporters and certifying their abilities in the field of career development support early on. Until the national career consultant qualification was established, the CDA qualification certification examination was designated as one of the national career consultant ability evaluation examinations (2002-2016).
Currently, passing the national career consultant examination is a requirement for CDA qualification certification. In other words, you become a double license holder of the CDA qualification and the national career consultant qualification.
3. About Qualification Renewal (Renewal Training)
For those who have acquired a qualification in career development support, it goes without saying that the actual support scene after acquisition is the most important. That support is required to be appropriate and better for the client. For that purpose, self-improvement after acquiring the qualification is important. In March 2018, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare compiled a "Report on Promoting Continuous Learning for Career Consultants" and indicated guidelines for continuous learning after acquiring the qualification. At JCDA, we are engaged in activities to popularize career counseling while supporting the continuous learning after qualification acquisition mentioned here, as well as practical experience and various activities.
4. How to become a CDA
There are two main requirements for obtaining the CDA qualification.
1. Passing the National Career Consultant Examination, or having passed the Standard Level Career Consultant Examination or the Career Consulting Skills Test (Grade 1 or 2) by March 2016.
2. Completing a CDA-compliant Career Consultant Training Course, ortaking a course designated by JCDAis required.
For example, those in [Category A] who have completed the Nippon Manpower training course and passed the National Career Consultant Examination can join JCDA without needing to take further courses.
Additionally, if more than two years have passed since passing the National Career Consultant Examination without joining, you fall into [Category F] and can join by taking requirement (2) from the designated courses.
There are various other requirements, so please check the link below for details.
5. Appeal and Benefits of CDA
As mentioned above, CDA members can obtain a dual license with the National Career Consultant qualification. This allows you to enjoy benefits such as:
1. Taking renewal training for National Career Consultants provided by JCDA at a member discount price
2. Receiving 2 CDA points simultaneously for every hour of renewal training
3. Participating in events held by each branch/district to connect with other members
JCDA's career consultant renewal training is structured around the career counseling philosophy that JCDA aims to promote, while adhering to Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines, with the goal of helping career counselors grow and acquire practical thinking and skills.
Knowledge training (correspondence course, capacity 420) is held 8 times a year, and skills training (in-person/online, 26 types in total) is held40 to 50 times every month.
▼ Click here to apply for training (Training Application Site: Leaf)
From the "Training Application Site: Leaf" mentioned above, you can search for training currently accepting applications, including dates, implementation format (Zoom/in-person), and host cities.
In addition, events such as study groups hosted by each branch/district are published on the website and also delivered via the member email distribution system.
Here are some comments from those who have participated in events hosted by each branch/district.
I was able to learn how everyone is utilizing their qualifications through the connections between members.
Meeting other members led to new learning and work opportunities.
I was surprised to see that those who are actively practicing career counseling in the field are the ones participating for self-improvement.
It was fun, like a reunion, being able to meet instructors and seniors from the training course again.
I was moved by the attitude of learning as peers, where veterans and newcomers are all equal.
By participating in peer training and practicing, I feel I have clearly understood the concept of 'Experience Metabolism' that I learned in the course.
We have received many other comments, but it seems that everyone feels a great benefit in thatconnections with peers expand through branch/district meetings.
6. Engagement through "Experience Metabolism," unique to CDA
JCDA's career counseling is based on the concept of "Experience Metabolism."
"Experience Metabolism" is a concept where, by observing the "self reflected in experience" within the client's narrative, the client realizes their own uniqueness and connects it to growth.
▼"What is Career Counseling"
<https://www.j-cda.jp/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/JCDAronbun.pdf>
Case study of Aesop's Fable "The Sour Grapes"
The fox found some delicious-looking grapes and jumped for them many times to eat them, but had the experience of not being able to reach them. The point here is when the fox utters the line, "These grapes are sour and nasty anyway. Who would want to eat them?"
This can be viewed as a case of "worry." Behind this line, we can glimpse the fox's "borrowed self-concept." People encounter events and derive some meaning from them. The meaning derived does not match the "way of seeing things and thinking" that the client previously held, and their (borrowed) self-concept is shaken (in other words, they are "worried").
What is the fox's "way of seeing things and thinking," or "borrowed self-concept," behind the line, "These grapes are sour and nasty anyway. Who would want to eat them?"
I believe it is their "way of seeing and thinking" about their own jumping ability.
I imagine it is a way of seeing and thinking about their "own jumping ability," such as "No matter how high the grapes are, I can jump and get them" or "There are no grapes I cannot get by jumping." Therefore, the fox encountered grapes that were too high to reach, and their confidence in their own jumping ability was "shaken," causing them to "worry."
In reality, the fox could not jump high enough to reach them, so that was the limit of the fox's jumping ability, but because they did not want to admit that fact, they uttered the "sour grapes" excuse.
For example, if it were a problem-solving approach, methods such as "getting the grapes for them," "buying them at a greengrocer," or "having someone give them to you" could be considered.
However, that does not solve the client's true worry (the shaking of their self-concept) at all.
We approach the fox, who could not reach the grapes and saw the limits of their own jumping ability, with compassion and empathy.
Perhaps they saw a version of themselves that had declined, or perhaps they were struggling desperately to protect their pride.
Experience Metabolism involves engaging in a way that allows them to safely share the depth of such painful feelings, and allows the meaning that this experience has provided to gently emerge.
We, as CDAs, value this career counseling based on Experience Metabolism, and we pursue further study through opportunities such as the aforementioned branch district meetings and the peer training introduced previously.
In conclusion
At JCDA, we certify the qualification of CDA (Career Development Adviser) as a dual license alongside the national Career Consultant qualification.
Its appeal is summarized in points such as:
1. Ease of taking the national Career Consultant renewal training
2. Connections between members gained through branch district meetings
3. Client-centered career counseling based on Experience Metabolism
4. Peer training that can be taken as many times as you like for free
and so on.
Perhaps I could not convey everything in this one instance.
I will definitely introduce it again on another occasion.
I look forward to the opportunity to be with you as a fellow CDA.
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