We are delighted to launch eight major award categories in 2021:
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Four individual awards
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Four best practice awards encompassing SEND; employer engagement; technology and research
The aims of the UK Career Development Awards
- To identify and promote excellence in career development
- To celebrate and generate a sense of pride in the career development profession and our partners
- To raise the profile of career development and the CDI
Award categories
1.1 Individual best practice awards
- Career Adviser/Coach of the Year
- Careers Leader of the Year
- Careers Service Manager of the Year
- Rodney Cox Lifetime Achievement Award (awarded by the CDI Board)
1.2 Best practice in special needs and employer engagement
- Careers Programme in a Special School/College
- Innovative and Impactful Employer Engagement Activity
Entrants to these awards do not need to be CDI affiliate organisations, although this is encouraged.
1.3 Best practice research and technology awards
- Research Undertaken by a Careers Professional
- Use of Technology in Career Development
Submitting your entry(s)
Please do not be shy about applying. Self-nominations and entries from student members are welcomed and encouraged.
Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible to receive an individual best practice Award, you must either be a member of the CDI or an affiliate organisation.
Entrants to the Career Programme in Special Schools/Colleges and Innovative and Impactful Employer Engagement Activity best practice Awards do not need to be CDI Affiliate Organisations, although this is encouraged.
The Rodney Cox Lifetime Achievement Award will be nominated, agreed and presented by the CDI Board, led by the elected President.
Award presentations move online
Restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, mean that we cannot announce the winners at our traditional Awards Dinner, the second week in March. In this time of uncertainty we all need a little cheer, so in 2021, the UK Career Development Awards are going digital as we announce 3 days of celebration from Tuesday 9 March to Thursday 11 March.
All the Awards will be presented online, using the Zoom platform. The Awards presentations will start at 3.30 pm each day and finish at 5.00 pm. Attendance will be free and work colleagues, friends and family will all be welcome - the invite and link will be published in early February.
Each event will start with a short keynote presentation from a career thought leader, politician or recognised career development academic.
Award presentation dates
Individual Best Practice + Project-Based Best Practice Awards
Tues 9 March Career Leader of the Year Careers Manager of the Year Use of Technology in Career Development
Wed 10 March Career Adviser/Coach Employer Engagement Careers programme Special School/College
Thurs 11 March Fellowships NICEC - Bill Law Award Rodney Cox Lifetime Achievement
Time lines
The closing date for entries is Friday 8 January 2021 at 17.00. Please email to ukcda@thecdi.net
The Board will shortlist in January and the final judging panels will be held in February 2021.
All short-listed entries must attend the appropriate presentation event.
Sponsorship
It is our aim that the Awards event and all individual Awards will be sponsored.
We are currently seeking an overall sponsor and several individual Award sponsors. For more information, please email Joanne.Thorniley@thecdi.net
If you have any questions please email jan.ellis@thecdi.net or ashley.bott@thecdi.net