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                                             CDI National Conference and Dinner 2024

26 & 27 November 2024 | The Studio, Birmingham | Book now

Conference and exhibition: 26 & 27 November
Dinner: 26 November

Conference theme: Valuing careers - enabling growth of the individual, the economy and society: By helping people into fulfilling careers, career development plays a vital role in developing the skills needed for economic growth and to address major social challenges.

The CDI National Conference 2024 is the annual must-attend event for everyone working across career development.  

This year the conference will be held as a two-day event, on the 26 and 27 November at The Studio, Birmingham, with a conference dinner after the first day.  There will be an exhibition on both days.

As the pre-eminent event covering all areas of career development, the conference will feature keynotes and debates covering the strategic opportunities and issues facing the profession, as well as talks and workshops focused on specific aspects of career development provision for young people and adults in public services, organisations and private practice.

Day 1 :  Career development enabling the economy and society: Focus on wider policy initiatives, international perspectives, broader social, economic and technological change and the wider needs of the profession.

Day 2 : Career development supporting the individual to achieve their potential: Focus more on research and best practice related to different areas of practice, as well as more personal development as a careers practitioner


Book your place today.

The deadline for booking is 19 November 2024.


Sponsor and exhibitor

Call for workshops

We will run a number of parallel workshops over the two days. If you or your organisation are interested in running a workshop, please complete the form here.

Your workshop needs to link to one of the following streams:

  • The value of career development in addressing wider policy issues such as skills shortages and social mobility.
  • Best practice, research and innovation in supporting young people.
  • Best practice, research and innovation in supporting adults.
  • Key changes that will affect career development – such as AI and net zero.
  • Ensuring career development continues to thrive as a profession.

Please submit your workshop proposal by Monday 16th September at 5pm.

Valuing Careers

With a new UK government championing key changes to careers provision in England, ongoing reviews in Scotland and continued developments in Wales and Northern Ireland, it is an ideal time for the conference to explore themes linked to the CDI’s Valuing Careers campaign.  

Talks will explore how the profession adds value to the careers of people at different stages of their life, the macro benefits to economic growth and society, and the need to ensure a sustainable career development workforce into the future. 

Over two days, the event provides learning and insight for practitioners, researchers, leaders and policymakers, offering unrivalled opportunities to enhance your own work and career.  

For leaders, strategic thinkers and policymakers, we will discuss global factors that impact the profession and our role in the education, skills and jobs ecosystems. For practitioners and researchers, it is a chance to hear examples of best practice, share insights and learn from the latest studies on supporting young people and adults. 

Conference Dinner

We will hold a dinner at the conference (26 November), which will be a wonderful opportunity to catch up with your colleagues and friends and build new relationships.

The cost of your ticket will include:

  • Welcome drink during the drinks reception
  • 3 Course meal
  • Tea/coffee

The bar will be open throughout the event for any additional drinks to be purchased.

Please note that you will be asked to select your menu options at the time of booking. Once you have made your food order, we are unable to make any changes to this. For this reason, please ensure that you fill out the booking form correctly.

If the menu available does not cater to your dietary requirements/allergies, please specify when booking and one of our team will contact you.

Exhibition

An exhibition will run alongside the conference on both days - this is a great opportunity to meet with representatives of top services and products within the sector.

Find out more about our exhibitors.

Why attend?

Continuous learning is at the core of being a career development professional, whether that is through gaining new experience, reflecting on previous interactions, gathering feedback or attending CPD events such as this one. Your attendance at the conference is an important part of maintaining and building on your knowledge and skills, benefiting you and your clients.

We limit the keynote and panel sessions to focus on select key topics that will be of interest to all attendees. Then, for the rest of the day, you will have the opportunity to choose from several concurrent workshops covering an array of topics that will help enhance your area of practice.

This enables you to make this your conference, creating an agenda that best suits your needs and interests.

Audience

This conference is aimed at all careers professionals, regardless of your area of practice or where you work in the UK and beyond.

Cost


Conference dinner (26 November)

CDI member    £50
Non-member    £60

One day only 

CDI member    £80
Non-member    £100
Student member    £65

Both days

CDI member    £140
Non-member    £170
Student Member    £120

Partner with us 

We have a limited number of sponsor or exhibitor opportunities available at the conference. For more information and to discuss your organisation's requirements, please contact Jen.Ellin@thecdi.net.

2023 Conference programme

You can get an insight into what to expect at conference, including the breath of our sessions and high-level speakers by downloading the 2023 programme.

Having any trouble?

Having any trouble?

Do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.