New body set to address careers advice in schools

Karen O’Donoghue, president of the professional body, which opened its doors on 1 April, told CYP Now that schools are not getting the support they need to deliver effective careers advice.

“We support the statutory guidance on careers guidance in schools, but feel it lacks punch as schools have too many opt-outs and do not get the resources or guidance they need to do it,” she said.

“Careers guidance should be available to all young people from QCF Level 6 registered practitioners. We will absolutely be urging the government to ensure this happens.”

The CDI’s formation follows the 2010 recommendations of the Careers Profession Task Force, which called for a more unified careers profession and the establishment of a professional register of careers advisors.

Four organisations merged to create the CDI: the Institute of Careers Guidance; the Association of Careers Education and Guidance; the UK Network of the Association of Careers Professionals International; and the National Association for Educational Guidance for Adults.

The new organisation will also operate the UK-wide register of careers development professionals.

“The formation of the CDI means that for first time there is a single voice for careers development professionals and a recognition that there is a unified careers development sector,” said O’Donoghue, who is also chief executive of the careers advice business Via Partnership.

“The social and economic impact of career development has been overlooked by successive governments, in part because of the fragmented and confusing messages we have sent out as a sector.”