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Professionals are always in training. Professionals are concerned about excellence of service to their clientele and to their staff members and colleagues. One indication of professionalism is continuing studies related to one's field of service, Life Skills Coaching. Counsellors often take night courses in Basic Counselling, Vocational Counselling, Adult Education Theory, Psychology, Conflict Resolution, Non-Profit Organization Management, Drug and Alcohol Counselling, Mental Health, Relationship Training, Family Management, Cross-Cultural and Diversity training.
Professionals like to keep updated. They belong to professional associations, get involved in committee work, visit other agencies, attend seminars and conferences. They are concerned about updating their status within the professional community, and ensure the standards of their profession are maintained throughout these networks.
Professionals research their chosen training institution and support their alumni. Professionals are concerned about the standards proposed by varying training centres. They ensure those responsible for training are themselves properly trained. They are concerned about the accountability of training institutes to their boards and various educational authorities.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Three years of competent professional service in the field of life skills coaching, conducting groups and using Saskatchewan NewStart lessons in sequence. The time, competence, and interpersonal skills are to be verified by two supervisors through a letter of reference. The applicant also provides a resume of one's education and work experience.
Time spent in studies related to life skills can be credited toward the 3 years life skills coach experience required, to a maximum of one year. For example, a BA (Psych) could be credited 6 months; a Masters in Social Work could be credited 1 year.
The applications will be reviewed once a year by a team of 7 well-experienced life skills coach/counsellors from across BC, who decide whether to recommend the application to the general membership of accredited coaches. This decision is achieved by a consensus of all 7. The applicant will be informed of the decision.