The CDI is the UK's professional body for career development, supporting around 5,000 members who work with young people and adults, in a range of settings to provide the best for their clients.
We also champion the profession - and the value it can bring for individuals, the economy and society - with the public, employers and policymakers.
When joining the CDI you get access to a wide range of valuable benefits, plus you are demonstrating your commitment to professionalism and adding your voice to representation of the sector.
Our Careers in Careers job board have partnered with The Guardian Jobs for an exclusive job board offer, giving your job posts maximum exposure and great savings.
CDI Research Directory launched
The CDI has launched its career development Research Directory, enabling researchers, practitioners and policymakers to easily access research from across the profession.
New episodes of We Are Careers podcast
Chris and Sabiha host the fortnightly We Are Careers YouTube video and Spotify podcast. Subscribe now to catch the latest episode and keep up with all things careers.
Valuing Careers research launched
Read the key insights from the CDI's YouGov survey of 5,004 UK adults on their career aspirations and experiences, launched as part of the CDI's Valuing Careers campaign.
Career Development - helping people thrive
What is career development?
The career development profession helps young people and adults identify their career aspirations, gain new skills and experience and secure sustainable, fulfilling work.
A career in career development
Career development professionals are enoprmously proud of the work they do to help people thrive. Find out about the varied roles available and how to become qualified.
How a careers professional can help you
Career development professionals help people of all ages and backgrounds define their career goals and equip them to manage opportunities and challenges.
About the Career Development Institute
The CDI is the professional body for career development in the UK. We support our members to help their clients and champion the profession with the public and governments.
The CDI hosts the UK Register of Career Development Professionals, listings careers advisers, coaches and leaders who hold required qualification, abide by the CDI Code of Ethics and undertake professional development to maintain their knowledge and expertise. If you are looking for personal support or to employ a careers professional, the Register shows you who meets the requirements. There are two groups on the Register;
Registered Career Development Professionals (RCDP) are qualified to degree or masters level to provide careers guidance - the personal support many individuals need.
Registered Careers Leaders (RCL) have completed the Careers Leader training in England to lead career programmes in schools and colleges. They are not qualified to provide guidance unless they hold a separate qualification.
Qualifications, training and professional development
Professional qualifications
Career development qualifications up to Masters level are available for those already in careers work (including apprenticeships) or studying to enter the profession.
CDI Academy training
The CDI Academy provides accredited and non-accredited training from the level 4 diploma to the level 6 diploma, Careers Leader training and SEND courses.
Continuous development
CDI members can access a wide range of free and discounted training to maintain and enhance their skills and knowledge, meeting CPD requirements for the Register.
CPD diary recording
Record your professional development in the CDI members' area. Login to record your activities and track progress against the CPD requirement for the Register.
Resources to support the profession
CDI members' resources area
CDI members can access over 600 exclusive resources - from past webinar recordings to dissertations and documents - supporting practice, research and leadership.
CDI Career Development Framework
The Framework states the outcomes - the skills, knowledge and attitudes - that individuals need for a positive career. It supports primary, secondary and college careers provision.
Best practice briefing papers
The CDI produces valuable briefing papers - from sector roles definitions to papers on work-related learning and personal guidance interviews - to support best practice.
Career development Research Directory
The CDI Research Directory collates research from across the profession, in the UK and internationally, to enable easy access for researchers, practitioners and policymakers.
What Our Members Say
Read what a few of our members say about themselves and the benefits of joining the Career Development Instiute.
CDI membership provides me with access to a powerful community of careers professionals and a valuable collective body of knowledge to draw from, as well as reassurance and support when I've worked in more isolated roles.
For clients, my membership demonstrates my ongoing commitment to delivering professional and high-quality services that meet and align with the CDI Code of Ethics.
Of all my qualifications, these badges (CDI member and registered professional badges) represent the ones hardest earned. [Completing the] qualifications was so worth it to learn more, to share best practice with other professionals and to simply confirm I knew my 'stuff'!
The updated Statutory Guidance published by the DfE yesterday sets out their expectations of schools, colleges and training providers in England. It is primarily focused on the updated Gatsby Benchmarks and the government's new policy on work experience but includes important changes related to the recognition of professionalism in career development.
Nominations for election to the CDI Board close on 27th March 2025. Open to all CDI members, standing for the Board is a great way to be involved in your professional body.
The CDI Community of Interest for Careers Education's second best practice briefing paper is on Quality Assurance of Careers Education and Guidance in Schools and Colleges. The paper supports careers leaders, careers teachers, careers advisers and others involved in the quality approaches for careers education across the UK.
The Career Development Institute (CDI) will launch its Valuing Careers campaign at Northern Ireland’s Stormont Assembly today, addressing the pressing skills crisis and its implications for economic growth.
This event will discuss the critical role of career development in supporting young people and adults in Scotland and helping drive growth in the economy. We will present key findings from our UK-wide research of over 5,000 adults, which highlights the key role of career guidance in tackling skills shortages and driving economic development.
North West Regional Meeting with a difference!
From race number 4 you are welcome to enjoy an afternoon/evening at the races. National Horseracing College colleagues will be in attendance all evening, so network as you choose with them, CDI NW colleagues, those from other schools or meet up with friends and family.
Several places are reserved for NW CDI colleagues and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To book: Mentioning the CDI North West region, please email[email protected] and copy in [email protected]
This work-based qualification is designed for practitioners whose role involves providing personal career guidance & development to clients.
Successful completion meets the qualification requirement for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals.
The Level 6 qualification equates to ordinary degree level so you need to be able to study and produce assignments at this level.
You also need to be in a role in which you work to the CDI Code of Ethics.
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