Career counselors to take advanced course

More than forty counselors, social workers and practitioners from the Independent and Ministry of Education schools, Qatar University, ASPIRE, and Qatar Foundation will participate in the second phase of a training program aimed at improving their skills and knowledge in the advising and career development field. Making the announcement at a press conference today, Fawziya Al Neema, the director at the Advising and Career Development Office in the Higher Education Institute of the Supreme Education Council said the trainees would receive internationally recognized credentials that allow them to practice as career development facilitators. The American National Career Development Association will provide the training program from May 17 to 28, 2009 at Al Sharq Village and Spa.

“The Higher Education Institute recognizes the importance of advising and career guidance services especially considering the large number of choices and alternatives available to the students,” said Ms. Al Neema. “Equipping these counselors with the right skills will allow the students to be guided in the right direction to ensure they choose programs that best suit their talents and academic qualifications.”

The training program also aims at building a national capacity in the advising and career development field through exchanging international expertise, ideas and best practices. Trainees equipped with such skills will assist students to make suitable career decisions that are aligned with their abilities, interests and values as well as meet the needs of the Qatari labor market.

“The American National Career Development Association - a well known think tank - will implement the training course which includes both advanced theory and practical applications,” said Ms. Al Neema. “The 60-hour training program will employ the most up to date advising and career international trends with another 60 hours to be added in the beginning of the next academic year. On completion, the trainees will receive certificates in advising and career development from the American Centre of Accreditation and Education.”

Mrs. Salwa Saleh Atiyyah, consultant at the ACC who provided the first phase of the training program in November 2008 confirmed the need for the trainees to receive this training. A manual was prepared and distributed to all the counselors in the schools to assist them in their daily tasks.

The American National Career Development Association is a cofounder of the American Counseling Association, and has more than 4500 career development service providers and professionals. Its mission is to promote life long career development skills. To achieve its mission, it provides services to the public and professionals involved with or interested in career development including professional development activities, publications, research, public information, professional standards, advocacy, and recognition for achievement and services.

The Supreme Education Council was established by Emiri decree in 2002. It serves as the primary authority on education policy in Qatar and, with its three Institutes, is leading the effort to transform the nation’s schools into a modern, world-class education system. More information about Qatar’s education reform effort, Education for a New Era, is available at www.education.gov.qa