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.
The UK Career Development Award categories have been revised for 2025 and nominations for individual, programme and organisation awards close on 3rd March 2025.
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 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.
Apprenticeships aren't just about getting a job – they're about starting a career. They offer a brilliant way for people to earn while they learn, picking up practical skills that employers are crying out for.
The CDI today launches the results of comprehensive research commissioned as part of its wider Valuing Careers campaign which aims to deepen awareness of the value career development provides for individuals, the economy and society.
Now is the time for career development professionals to be recognised and valued for their vital role in shaping futures, says David Morgan, as he opened nominations for the UK Career Development Awards
Our programme is intended to be largely presented by practitioners, for practitioners and aims to encourage those who have an interest in and enthusiasm to undertake research but perhaps lack the confidence. The Conference is held online, and we invite international colleagues to join us.
The online programme includes:
• Two keynote presentations on research relevant to career development
• Two panels of practitioner researchers – representing research from the UK and internationally
• A range of seminars aligned to the conference themes: Connecting research to practice; Building and developing your research community; Stories from career-related research
• An online poster session*
Do you want to help your clients in their mid-life (45-60) to reinvent themselves when they are facing redundancy, feeling lost and unclear how to make themselves relevant again in the world of work? To regain their joie de vivre when feeling burnt out, dissatisfied and unfulfilled in their work? Then join us for this hands-on and interactive workshop, where we will learn how to help your clients in their mid-life to reinvent their careers.
We are delighted to offer this course for Level 6/7 qualified career guidance practitioners working in schools, special schools and colleges to support students with additional needs. The programme aims to develop reflective practice and provide evidence of understanding and competence in working with people who have a health condition, impairment or special educational needs.
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