A new free accredited online course providing high-school counsellors worldwide with professional development was launched by Times Higher Education (THE), and leadership training provider Common Purpose and has seen more than 1,800 counsellors register for the course from schools in 109 countries.
THE Counsellor Accreditation Programme (THE CAP), which is designed by, and for, counsellors, provides professional development for school staff who provide advice to students on career and university selection.
Patrick Hayes, Chief Development Officer at Times Higher Education, said:
“We announced the launch of the THE Counsellor Accreditation Programme in May and the response from counsellors all over the world has been unprecedented. There is a clear desire from this incredibly passionate community to pool knowledge and resources about university selection, to the potential benefit of many generations of high-school students.”
The cutting-edge online learning accreditation programme comprises of 12 modules around six core themes and includes innovative content, expert-generated resources, thought-provoking discussions and unparalleled access to industry-led best practices. It is scheduled to take 12 hours to complete followed by the submission of a CPD resource which will be assessed by THE’s editorial team and could be published in THE Counsellor – an upcoming digital platform for high school counsellors.
Jenny Tassell, from the International School of Panama, who completed the course, said:
“THE CAP was probably one of the best professional development experiences I’ve had in my 15-year career. Everything is extremely current and applicable.”
The programme was developed using THE’s data and insights in global higher education, together with Common Purpose’s expertise in leadership development and professional development. It was driven and shaped by THE’s International Schools Advisory Board convened in partnership with BMI Global Ed, which runs counsellor networking events globally. Members of the advisory board feature in the course, sharing advice and guidance on topics ranging from the impact of AI, to how to manage parents’ expectations.
Counsellors that successfully complete the course will become a THE Accredited Counsellor until the end of 2024, needing to renew annually thereafter, and their school will be listed as an ‘accredited counsellor school’ on a dedicated page on THE’s website. The counsellor will receive a certificate and a badge for LinkedIn.
Andy Coxall, Managing Director – EvolveCareers, at Common Purpose, said:
“I’m thrilled to witness the expansion of THE Counsellor Accreditation Programme into this comprehensive, on-demand asynchronous version, which enables counsellors from every corner of the globe to embrace this transformative digital learning experience and become part of the rapidly growing community of THE accredited counsellors.
“By blending industry-leading insights from THE International School Advisory Board with state-of-the-art online learning techniques, we are ensuring that these counsellors receive unparalleled professional development, equipping them to excel in their roles and stay at the forefront of their profession."
THE’s Counsellor Accreditation Programme initially launched as an in-person only event at BMI’s Global International Schools Forum & Workshop in London in May, where the first cohort of 70 counsellors were accredited.
For more information and to register click here.
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