UK Career Development Awards

UK Career Development Awards 2026

2 December 2026 | The Burlington Hotel, Birmingham
Nominations open Monday 1 June 2026

The UK Career Development Awards (UKCDAs) are a high point in the CDI event calendar, when we recognise and celebrate excellence across the career development sector both in the UK and internationally.

This year, the announcement of UKCDA winners and the awards celebration will be held at the CDI National Conference on 2 December at The Burlington Hotel, Birmingham.

This year’s theme is “Careers and All That Jazz”, with a themed evening that encourages attendees to embrace the spirit of the event through optional dress and participation.

Awards nominations are now open

We are pleased to announce that nominations are now open.

Please select the awards category you would like enter and submit your entry here. Kindly ensure you review the Notes for Entrants before completing your submission.

Awards nominations close on Monday 13 July at 5pm.

2026 Awards categories

This year there are 7 awards categories to choose form:

Careers programme - education settings
Careers programme - non-education settings
Career development professional working in education settings
Career development professional working in non-education settings
Careers provider of the year
Innovative product, resource or technology
Contribution to the development of the profession

Awards timeline

The timeline for the 2026 Awards is as follows:

Nominations open: Monday 1 June
Nominations close: Monday 13 July, 5 pm
Judging period: Over summer
Shortlist announced: Week commencing Monday 7 September
Winners announced: At the dinner on Wednesday 2 December.

Please note that these dates may be subject to change at the CDI's discretion

Explore sponsorship opportunities

Explore our sponsorship packages, marketing opportunities and everything you need to know to get involved in this exciting event celebrating excellence in career development. For further information, please refer to the sponsor brochure.

For maximum exposure sign up by 1 June (when awards nominations open).

If you have any inquires regarding commercial opportunities, please contact: jen.ellin@thecdi.net

Theme & Entertainment

Step into the elegance of the 1920s with this year’s theme, ‘Careers and All That Jazz’. The evening will feature stylish décor, jazz-inspired music and engaging entertainment, creating a refined and celebratory atmosphere.

Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme and enjoy a memorable night of celebration with colleagues and friends.

What are the UKCDAs?

The UK Career Development Awards (UKCDAs) are a high point in the CDI event calendar, when we recognise and celebrate excellence across the career development sector, in the UK and internationally.

Why attend?

The UKCDAs are an unmissable opportunity to come together with colleagues and friends, to recognise the hard work and brilliance in the career development sector, and celebrate peoples' achievements. Find out how the winners have made change that positively affects their clients or about a new product or service that is making waves in the sector...It's a great evening for networking and perhaps even gaining inspiration for your own work!

Looking back at the 2025 awards

Find out what to expect at this year’s awards by exploring highlights from 2025. Discover the winners and shortlisted nominees, read about their achievements, and take a look at the entertainment, event photography and sponsors who made the evening such a success.