Q1.
What is the CVE designation?
A1.
The CVE is recognized as a professional designation by employers and referrals as an attestation to a minimum level of professional competency. While there is no formal recognition, both employers and referrals recognize the expertise of the certificant and the designation is a definite asset when being qualified as a vocational expert in the courts. Further, more recently referral sources such as government agencies and insurances companies in specific provinces are requesting that those individuals conducting vocational evaluation/assessments be certified.
The CVE designation was developed by the Commission on the Certification of Work Adjustment and Vocational Evaluation Specialists (CCWAVES). CAVEWAS was a member of the Commission and the steward of the CVE designation i Canada.
CCWAVES was formed in 1983, following a certification model predicated on a master’s level degree in vocational evaluation and successful completion of a standardized examination. Other professionals were required to demonstrate candidacy for certification through specific courses and years of experience in lieu of a master’s degree in vocational evaluation. Q2.
What happened to the CVE designation?
A2.
In September 2008, the commissioners of CCWAVES dissolved the organization. The Commission sought a reputable organization to assume responsibility for the renewal and maintenance of the Certified Vocational Evaluation (CVE) credential. In April 2009, CCWAVES negotiated with the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) to provide oversight and administration of the future renewal and maintenance processes for the CVE designation.
Q3.
How many CVE's are there in Canada?
A3.
Currently there are 49 CVE’s in Canada and that number is declining and will continue to decline as certificants retire or transition out of the industry.
Q4.
What is CAVEWAS doing about it?
A4.
The CAVEWAS Board has been exploring options towards re-establishing benchmarks and advancing the vocational evaluation and work adjustment profession.
One avenue CAVEWAS is investigating is an association with the ABVE (American Board Vocational Expert) certification. The American Board of Vocational Experts is a professional credentialing body established as a not-for-profit organization. There are two levels of certification. Fellow status requires three years of documented experience in assessment of vocational capacity and vocational expert forensics in addition to educational and exam requirements. Diplomate status requires seven years of documented experience in the area of assessment of vocational capacity and vocational expert opinion and demonstration of distinguished performance or recognition as a vocational expert in addition to the aforementioned requirements.
Another avenue CAVEWAS is examining revolves around a task force for Alternative Credentialing that has been meeting since the summer of 2009 to explore a different process and credential for vocational evaluators. Members of the task force include:
the Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals (VECAP), the
Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Association
(VEWAA),
the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI) and the Department of Rehabilitation and Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The task force conducted a survey early in 2010 to determine the interest in, and guidance for, the details for a new credential tentatively named Professional Vocational Evaluator (PVE). The survey was distributed to CAVEWAS members. The task force is continuing to move forward but has not developed the eligibility critieria, standards of practice, code of ethics or business plan to launch the credential---yet.
If you have any questions about credentialing, feel free to contact the President of the Board.
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