Exciting Developments for Global Career Development Facilitators (GCDF) in Japan!

In a groundbreaking move, Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential holders in Japan are now training to earn the GCDF-US credential. The event marks an historic milestone, as they will be the inaugural group to hold dual-country credentials in the GCDF community. 

The new initiative began earlier this year, thanks to the collaborative efforts between CCE and Recruit Management Solutions in Japan. Career Counseling Association (CCA) has been instrumental in providing training for GCDF candidates in Japan, laying the groundwork for this innovative collaboration.  

GCDF-Japan credential holders have long expressed their desire to earn the GCDF-US credential. 

“There are several factors as to why GCDF-Japan certification holders are more likely to qualify for the GCDF-US,” says Shinya Fujita, Chief Executive Officer of the Career Counseling Association (CCA). Some of the reasons Fujita notes are “The number of foreign workers will increase, and there will be more cases where an understanding of the Japanese employment environment and legal system alone will not be sufficient to provide support. Holding a U.S.-certified certification can be a source differentiation for career consultants who are primarily based in Japan, compared to domestically certified professionals. In order to consider the future of career consulting in Japan, it is effective to learn how career support is provided in the U.S, which is a leading country in the field. And finally, the increasing number of cases where career support based on the working environment in Japan will not work, such as the increase in the number of workers posted overseas due to globalization and the increase in the number of workers who wish to develop their careers overseas.”  

The U.S. training program consists of four comprehensive modules that focus on understanding ethical and legal issues, serving diverse populations, leveraging technology and staying on current labor market trends in the United States.   

GCDF-Japan credential holders have received training for foundational career facilitation knowledge for career counseling tailored to the nuances in their country. The U.S.-based training, provided by a U.S. trainer, equips them with valuable knowledge about the American career counseling landscape.  

Once GCDF-Japan credential holders complete the U.S. training, they will be eligible to apply for U.S. credential.  

“This new initiative opens the door for CCE international credential holders to expand their career options to pursue rewarding career opportunities in the U.S.,” says Dr. Winifert Lawson-Graves, Director of Business Development and Marketing for CCE. 

The Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) is CCE’s flagship credential, with more than 45,000 professionals across 23 countries having attained the GCDF designation.