QCD Further Resources

As the awarding body for the Qualification in Career Development we support universities to deliver a post graduate level programme to students which is responsive to the evolving needs of the sector and we moderate the QCD so that employers, stakeholders and clients are assured that the professional practice requirements have been met.

The aim of the QCD is to equip you with the qualities, skills, knowledge, professional values and personal awareness which will enable you to meet the needs of clients in a wide range of work settings. A significant element of the QCD is the work-based learning opportunities.

The qualification will also develop your ability to reflect on your practice and to identify your continuing professional development (CPD) needs. Reflective practice is more than simply evaluating or even critically analysing what you do. It is about considering how you apply the theory you have learned to practice, reflecting on how well this has worked and whether the theory is appropriate. In this way, theory may change over time through the experience of practice.

The resources found below will help support your progression through the QCD and beyond.

The Role of the CDI

The Career Development Institute is the Awarding Body for the QCD and sets the eight Learning Outcomes which must be covered to achieve the QCD. It also provides a team of Moderators who visit the Centres to check how the Learning Outcomes and Professional Practice requirements are covered and assessed.

The QCD is the only qualification that is awarded by the CDI as the professional body for the sector.

QCD Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate critical understanding of issues relating to the production, application and client use of sources of career and labour market information and assessment tools and techniques.
Demonstrate critical understanding of principles of learning design and apply them to a range of career-related learning activities.
Demonstrate critical understanding of theoretical approaches to the study of career development from a range of disciplinary areas.
Utilise and critique a range of approaches and techniques for conducting client-focused career development interactions with individuals using a variety of delivery modes.
Demonstrate critical understanding of the development of contemporary career-related policy and its impact on service delivery and practice.
Demonstrate critical understanding and awareness of professional networks and partnership working.
Demonstrate critical understanding of personal values and beliefs, ethical and legal issues and their application to career development practice.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development as a career development practitioner.

QCD Destination Trends

The majority of students who complete the QCD find employment in the career development sector. Charts, detailing the destinations of the students can be downloaded below;

QCD Professional Report

The Professional Development Report - location of evidence document is required to show where the evidence which meets each of the QCD Learning Outcomes can be found in your electronic Professional Report. Completing this document will help the CDI Moderator to sample your work and locate the required evidence. 

QCD Handbook

The QCD Handbook has been designed to offer support and guidance throughout the duration of your course. It has specific advice on the structure of the qualification, its assessment and the Professional Practice Report the course requires, and guidance for after the course. The handbook also includes specific information on the benefits of Student Membership and Joining the UK Register of Career Development Professionals.

Although we make older versions of the handbook available for download, the most recent publication will always be the most accurate and the one all course information is based upon.