Analysis of the vocational counselor’s competencies: implications for its education and training

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The present study is intended to analyze the competencies of the professional counselor in order to identify the key aspects that may allow the specific design of this professional training. This study was divided in two phases with the following goals: the first one focused on the description of the professional counselor profile, and the second one was dedicated to the identification of contents that need to be included in the specialized training in professional counseling. To carry out this research, we have applied a mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative), and the data gathering was based on different types of data sources: an online questionnaire, personal interviews, review of specialized documents, and information from diverse audiences. The validation of the online questionnaire was developed through consultation with key informants. The samples selected for both phases was incidental and the statistical analysis were mainly quantitative and descriptive. From the results derived, we stand out the following: a) the recognition, need and demand of quality career guidance, b) the identification of key competencies for the professional counselor, and c) the consensus on core contents that allow to start with the design of specific postgraduate training. Conclusions in this study reveal the existence of a social interest in formal university training, as well as specialized vocational guidance, agreement on core contents, and the recognition of the contribution of a postgraduate proposal to cover this particular gap in the Spanish University academic offer.