Championing for better careers education and improved Career Leader conditions
In December 2021 I was elected by the CDI members to join the CDI board with a specialist interest in careers education. My term is coming towards and end and as I contemplate running for a second term, I reflect on the past three years and what I would want to concentrate on should I serve again.
Three years sounds an incredibly long time, but when I break it down it has been 10 board meetings to date and two AGMs! There is obviously much more to the role representing the CDI at the annual conferences, Career Leader conference, CDI awards etc, as well as supporting the CDI subgroups, such as chartership. I feel I have learned a great deal over this period, especially in governance matters. Although I struggled a little in the early days with imposter syndrome, I am now one of the more experienced board members (and the more vocal!)
I take my responsibilities seriously and am incredibly fortunate that the Partners and Managers at Complete-Careers LLP support me through time off for board duties, as it aligns with the company’s strategic aim ‘To use our expertise to influence the global landscape as thought provokers’. As a small specialist careers company Complete-Careers works with schools and colleges everyday and all our income is generated from school and college services. I am therefore well placed to represent schools and colleges, as well as small career companies in the sector.
Much of my time on the board has involved contributing towards improved governance to include updating the articles of association, digital transformation and strategy. With my careers education hat I did also take over Chairing the CDI’s Community of Interest Group for Careers Education (COICE). It is with COICE I feel I have made the biggest contribution so far. COICE supports the CDI with all aspects of careers education. Current COICE members have championed best practice careers education for the past 40 years, many of whom I have learned a great deal from over my own 20 years in careers. It has been a privilege to Chair the group, but it has also been challenging. Working with CDI Chief Executive David Morgan and COICE members we spent a great deal of time revamping COICE, revisiting the original purpose of the group and updating the terms of reference. COICE has a new purpose and identity and will have much more visibility now with a dedicated web space: https://www.thecdi.net/communities-and-networks/communities-of-interest/community-of-interest-for-careers-education-(coice) One aspect of the group’s focus is to culminate knowledge and experience to provide topical briefing series for Careers Leaders. Our most recent is on Work-Based Learning and is now live: https://www.thecdi.net/communities-and-networks/communities-of-interest/community-of-interest-for-careers-education-(coice)/work-based-learning-briefing
With COICE’s remit and scope now clear, my next goal is to establish a mechanism for Careers Leaders/educators across the home nations to feed into it. I would like to support Careers Leaders/educators to share experiences in schools and colleges, feeding their cheers and fears into body to listen, represent and champion for best practice and change. COICE colleagues are already committed to this, as outlined in the annual report: https://www.thecdi.net/communities-and-networks/communities-of-interest/community-of-interest-for-careers-education-(coice)/coice-annual-report-2024
I am keen to continue serving Careers Leaders/Educators for a further term to achieve this goal and to fight for a better sector from within the professional body. Please do support me with your vote if you feel I can make a difference!
John Ambrose
Director, Complete-Careers LLP, October 2024.