Scotland's Enterprising Schools

About the organisation

The Career Development Institute (CDI) is the UK-wide professional body for everyone working in career development, including career educators/teachers /lecturers, career coaches/advisers and people working in Talent Management and outplacement in HR.

Importantly we are responsible for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals; the National Occupational Standards (NOS: CD); the first Career Progression Pathway for the sector; UK Career Development Awards; QCGD qualification; the new Careers Framework and UK-wide CPD programme.

We help to keep our 4500 Members up to date with the latest research, LMI and employment trends and news, as teachers and lecturers face increasingly rigorous expectations that all of their learners will find future sustainable employment success.

School Affiliate Membership of the CDI offers practical support and professional development for those involved in leading, devising and delivering career related activities in schools, especially for those with responsibilities for delivering on the Career Education Standard.

Good career education needs contributions and commitment from a number of partners with differing levels of expertise and understanding, as well as varied access to learners and to the curriculum. Taking stock of current provision, being aware of existing good practice and the latest developments, and identifying areas of improvement, can be key to finding success with effective career education.

Building on the expertise of teachers/lecturers and other the partners our broader purpose is to:

Improve and assure the quality and availability of career development opportunities for all, through the promotion of public understanding of career development
Develop and maintain standards of professional practice for all those working in the career development sector
Provide advice on career development to policymakers, practitioners and other interested parties

Enterprise activity in schools

The focus of the CDI is on the professional development of teachers/lecturers with responsibilities for career related activities.

Our membership package has been specifically developed to support teaching professionals in their role by providing:

Networking through on-line communities
Sector news and regular updates on key issues and developments
Access to the latest research
CPD opportunities, webinars, conferences and skills training
Fortnightly news emails
Career Matters magazine quarterly
Free copy of NICEC Research Journal (National Institute for Career Education and Counselling) twice a year
Weekly job vacancies on the Portico jobs board
Social media communications – Twitter @theCDI and LinkedIn Communities of Interest e.g. career education or Scotland region