2. TO BE COVERED TODAY
• WHAT ARE THE CERTIFICATIONS?
• WHO GIVES THEM?
• ARE THEY NECESSARY?
• WHY WOULD YOU WANT ONE?
• THINGS TO CONSIDER
• PANEL PRESENTERS
3.
4. • No single governing
body
• No one industry
standard
• Many areas of expertise
• Not regulated (except
licensed counselors)
• Often not required
5. NAWDP 2010 STUDY-KEY FINDINGS
http://www.nawdp.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Certification/CredentialReport2010.pdf
• Almost 700 professionals, 48 state & territories
in the field of workforce
• Most hiring managers value credentials but
only 15-26% require them for employment
decisions
• CWDP (NAWDP) was most valued
• Next were… GCDF, teaching certificates and
essential business skills
6. WHY DO YOU WANT
CERTIFICATIONS?
• Gain knowledge and resources
• Shows you’re a Subject Matter Expert
• Increases perceived credibility
• Recognition from peers and leaders
• Promote your own expertise/career
• Less time and money than a degree
7. CHOOSING CERTIFICATIONS
• What organization is behind the letters?
• Is it national, regional, a local chapter?
• Where is the certification recognized?
• Who is behind the organization? (Executive
Director/Board of Directors)
• Size and reputation of organization
• What do others say?
• Cost and time involved
8. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
• A fee and process to apply
• Required to maintain in good standing
• Adhere to a Code of Ethics
• Must maintain membership in certifying
organization
• Must complete continuing education and
follow re-certification policies
9. PANEL DISCUSSION
• Who do they represent/their position
• Organization history/mission/purpose
• Membership–benefits, cost & eligibility
• What certifications/professional
development opportunities they offer
• If you are considering joining……
10. TODAY’S PANEL
• For MACCA - Shahrzad Arasteh, CPRW,
GCDF
• For NAWDP - Hugh Bailey
• For IAWP - Bob Pelletier, GCDF
• For MCDA - Karol Taylor, GCDF
Editor's Notes
Are they a viable org? Is the organization viable enough to promote it own certifications? Do they have lobbyists on staff? A larger org. will be able to look out for its members better.
What is the reputation of the Org?
How is the org. connected to other orgs. (sister org. division, local chapter, etc.)
Membership costs and amount of work needed to get certification
If you let the cert. become inactive, you often have to start from the beginning to get it again