Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC) has concluded its four-day Professional Career Counsellor programme.
More than 50 career counsellors and educators from independent schools across Qatar participated.
The training programme, a joint initiative between QCDC and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education held in collaboration with Bedaya Centre, aims to develop the skills of academic and professional counsellors by equipping them with the necessary skills and also provide students with professional support, according to a press statement.
Abdulla al-Mansoori, director of QCDC, explained that the Professional Career Counsellor programme “aims to equip career counsellors with the tools and resources they require in order to offer the best career counselling services to students, so that they can properly chart their academic and career paths.”
Noor al-Maadheed, head of academic counselling at the ministry, pointed out that academic counsellors play a major role in co-ordinating and managing the process of academic and career counselling with effectiveness and competence.
Ola Abdin, career development manager at Bedaya Centre, noted how the Professional Career Counsellor programme “aims to train a new generation of counsellors who are able to utilise their talents and potential in a way that benefits the future of secondary school students.”
As part of an introductory session on career counselling, the participants were introduced to the theoretical foundations of career counselling as well as the nature and significance of that line of career guidance.
The participants were exposed to the basic skills of career counselling, which include the ability to think clearly, approach problems objectively and arrive at innovative solutions, in addition to teamwork, effective communication and critical thinking.
The counsellors were also encouraged to differentiate their students and understand and evaluate their personal identities, in order to build their confidence and self-esteem. Finally, the programme highlighted the significance of parental guidance in children choosing a suitable career path.
The programme was delivered by experts from the partnering entities: al-Mansoori, director, and Dr Mohamed Abul-Ola, integral training and development general manager, from QCDC; and Fady Allaham, educational consultant at the Department of Educational Supervision, Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Dr Abdel Reheim Alhorr, an international trainer specialised in human skills development, attended on behalf of
Bedaya Centre.