COICE's role

COICE operates as an informal group of career education specialists and experts who work together as an independent body supported by the CDI. The group aims to represent the range of research and practice in careers education throughout the UK, and individuals can apply to join the group.

In addition to expert individuals, representation is invited from the key public service organisations for careers education across the UK – currently Careers & Enterprise Company, Skills Development Scotland and Careers Wales.

The group's role includes;

  • Acting as a think tank for careers education in the sector.
  • Sharing updates on emerging developments in careers education.
  • Discussing key topics to inform briefing/position papers.
  • Undertaking or instigating projects to further develop thinking and practice in careers education.
  • Supporting the CDI, e.g. with the National Careers Leaders’ Conference.

The group meets quarterly to share updates, discuss items of interest and progress projects. The plan is to produce an annual report to be published here, highlighting the contribution the group has made.

COICE group members

The core COICE group meets regularly throughout the year to discuss key aspects of careers education, as well as plan and implement activities such as producing papers, inputting to conference agendas and providing feedback to organisations and individuals on new developments.

The group will consist of up to 12 individuals, representing expertise from across the careers education landscape and ideally representing the four UK nations. Current group members are:

Joining COICE

The COICE group is keen to engage careers education professionals who wish to bring their expertise to the group to add to the discussions on best practice and help share this with careers practitioners in schools and colleges across the UK. Please see the details on joining COICE or contact COICE Chair, John Ambrose, at [email protected]

Briefing papers from COICE

Work-based learning and development

Work-based learning and development

Published October 2024

With an increased focus on work-based learning in UK schools, this paper by COICE experts outlines the key aspects of great work-based learning experiences and how to deliver best practice across the UK.

Read more
Quality assurance

Quality assurance

In development.

The next paper from COICE will be a similar overview of approaches to quality assurance for careers programmes. Again this will cover a summary of best practice and link to the various quality assurance mechanisms available - or required - throughout the UK nations.

COICE annual reports

From 2024, the COICE group will publish an annual report outlining its key activities and successes over the previous year. These reports provide greater insight into the work of the COICE group and how they support excellence across the profession.

COICE purpose and terms of reference

To enhance and champion careers education across the UK.

 COICE is a community of careers education specialists and experts who work to promote best practice in careers education in the UK. In doing so, COICE helps identify and influence careers education planning, design and delivery. 

View the full terms of reference

Careers Leaders' community

The Community of Practice for Careers Leaders is open to both CDI members and non-members. As well as a forum for discussion and sharing ideas among Careers Leaders, the community includes a library of documents, resources and research.

Join the community

careers education community

LinkedIn community

The CDI's Careers Education community on LinkedIn has 556 members and is free to join for CDI members.

Simply visit the page and ask to join, to access discussion and sharing of ideas from fellow careers education professionals.

Careers Education Community on LinkedIn 

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