FAQ

A pattern of work and life experiences comprising the entire lifespan of a person, leading towards decent and meaningful work.

Career development is seen as ‘the lifelong process of managing life, learning and work, through a series of transitions towards an evolving preferred future’.

It is the umbrella term used to include career education, information, advice and guidance.

The function of career development is pivotal in ensuring labour market goals are achieved, such as, jobs and productivity, improvement in educational goals and employment equity in terms of skilling previously disadvantaged groups to use their potential.

A Career Development Practitioner: Cat. Career Information Officer (CDP:CIO) is a category of a Career Development Practitioner.

The function of a CDP:CIO is to provide career related information to individuals and groups. Where, career related information includes information on managing learning, work, leisure and transitions.

The provision of career related information is a two-way interaction between a CDP:CIO and their client. This interaction is often better facilitated with tools and techniques that enable the CDP:CIO to best identify the career information requirements of the client.

If in this engagement a CDP:CIO identifies that the client’s needs are more than just career information, it is the ethical responsibility of the CDP:CIO to refer such client to another professional qualified in that area of expertise.

The new occupation called Career Development Practitioner was recently registered on the South Africa Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO, 2017).

It is the general term used to describe all categories of practitioners who work in the field of career development.

As per the OFO, a Career Development Practitioner provides information, advice and guidance to individuals and groups with managing their career, making occupational and study decisions and planning career transitions. This includes the use of various career development tools including non-standardised self-directed assessments. 

Applicants for the immediate registration route must:

1. Apply on member dashboard or request application form.
2. Submit certified copies of NQF Five (5) Occupational Qualification of ‘Career Development Information Officer’ (NQF level 5: SAQA Qualification ID: 96372) or related qualification with career components.
3. Submit current and certified copies of HPCSA, SACE, SACSSP or SABPP registration certificate with evidence of career development coursework or a certificate of a recognised career development related short course.
4. Pay fee.
5. Complete a competency assessment for CDPs in South Africa.
6. Complete the Code of Ethics assessment for CDPs in South Africa.

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) route is established for those applicants who do not meet the requirements for immediate registration but have the necessary experience to prove their competence. All applicants will follow the application route for immediate registration, following which, the Registration Committee may review and recommend the application for RPL.

Applicants wishing to have their competence recognised through this route will then need to submit the following: 

1. Apply on member dashboard or request application form.
2. Pay RPL application fee.
3. Complete Portfolio of Evidence (POE) which demonstrates your competencies, values, attitudes, ethics and ongoing professional development required for professional designation.
4. Submit three (3) references from credible organisations or registered members in good standing.
5. Submit three (3) professional contacts you will refer clients to when your competency boundary has been crossed.

Members already registered with other related bodies such as the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), South African Council for Educators (SACE), South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) will pay a reduced fee, and will only be required to complete a reduced number of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points each year.

SACDA has the right and responsibility to confer Professional Designations for Career Development Practitioners.

By recognising and formalising Professional Designations, the Professional Body contributes to the development of career paths as well as the profession.

Members who are conferred a Professional Designation will be recorded onto the National Register for Career Development Practitioners.

This will give national recognition and yield data that can be used to promote the profession, coordination and collaboration across education, training, development and work. 

To remain on the National Register of Career Development Practitioners, each member needs to achieve a certain number of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points per twelve (12) month cycle. Where one (1) CPD point is the equivalent to one (1) hour of professional development. There are a number of ways to acquire CPD points.

1. Completing CPD articles on the member dashboard

Professional members can login to their dashboard and access quality career development articles. In order to confirm understanding, a number of multiple choice questions will be asked at the end of each article. If these are correctly answered, the stated number of CPD points will automatically be allocated to the members account. Should these be incorrectly answered, the member will need to wait for a week before re-attempting that same article. 

2. Contributing best practice through the member dashboard

Professional members can login to their dashboard and contribute content based on best practice. CPD points will then be awarded based on the quantity and quality of content. Contributed content will be included into further resources and made available to members. Through this process, best practice will be made openly available members on a continuous basis and in real time. 

3. Attending SACDA accredited events

Further to the annual Congress for Career Development Practitioners, SACDA will provide opportunities for online and face-to-face professional development events. These events will cover best practice and include tools for members to maximise their effectiveness in the field. SACDA will also begin accrediting external events to ensure Career Development Practitioners have access to as many quality CPD opportunities as possible. 

School Affiliates carry the SACDA logo and Seal of Excellence. They receive career development related support and access to quality career education resources for teachers and learners. School affiliation also includes membership cost of two representatives and discounts to events. For more information about this category, please email us at info@sacda.org.za.