NICEC

ALT During 2025, 39 NICEC Fellows working in the UK were interviewed about what had they learned from their work on careers and supporting the career development of individuals. The work experience of these contributors totals many hundreds of years and has spanned different client age groups; different types of career-related work including research, policy, and practice; in different contexts including educational and research institutions, employers, government bodies, and private practice. Contributors were each asked for two or three key learning points from their work in the careers field and to identify one or two issues they found themselves repeatedly wondering about or puzzling over. In this seminar, Wendy Hirsh, will share some of the themes emerging from these rich conversations with NICEC Fellows. Those attending will be encouraged to reflect on and share their own learning about careers and career development.

ALT The Bill Law Memorial Award is for any student who has completed an academic programme within the last 12 months that involved a piece of research or innovative practice related to career development. This could include anyone studying for a level 6 level in career development (including career leaders), a PGDip/Masters/SCQF 11, a PhD or a CIPD programme. You do not need to be a member of NICEC. What we look for The submission should present original research or innovative practice in a career related topic. Where the submission relates to innovative practice, this needs to include some element of evaluation, including feedback, comments or assessments from participants. Innovative practice could include using new techniques or using existing techniques in a new way or with a new client group. This could also include expanding the boundaries of current practice. Original research can include quantitative or qualitative empirical research.

ALT This NICEC Network Meeting will explore some of the tensions and opportunities around initial and continuing training and development for the field including: Pathways and qualification levels at Levels 4/6/7 How far training and roles can be seen as generic or context specific Scope and limitations on careers roles The relative emphasis on working with individuals and working with systems (with organisations, with policy, with other professionals)

ALT The Award is a legacy and tribute to the work of Dr Bill Law, Founding Fellow of NICEC. His work was recognised internationally and was significant in its impact on the way that career development is conceptualised and practised. The Award will celebrate emerging innovation within the career development sector and importantly, the relationship between research, theory and practice. This award is open to a student who is on or has recently completed (within the last 12 months) a programme such as a level 6 level in career development (including career leaders), PGDip/Masters/SCQF 11, Doctoral students, or a CIPD programme. The submission should present original research or innovative practice in a career or coaching related topic.

ALT At the Cutting Edge 2026: Coaching Neurodivergent clients; practical tools and insights for career professionals Thursday 5 March 2026, 2.00pm-4.00pm The CDI and NICEC continue our collaborative Cutting Edge webinar series with our bi-annual seminars. This event is free to CDI Members & NICEC Members. You will be asked for your membership number upon booking. If you are a NICEC member and do not have your number please email, [email protected] to get this information.

ALT In this one-and-a-half hour session Michelle Stewart set the scene drawing from her experience of writing the 'History of the Careers Services in the UK'. This was followed by David Morgan, Chief Executive of the CDI with thoughts on innovation and CDI’s new strategy, and an overview of innovations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales, then shared examples of innovative practices and projects taking place in career guidance in Wales including Work in Focus challenges, Future Jobs Wales, uses of AI to help triage needs and to support practitioners, virtual reality tours of careers centres for neurodivergent customers, and the award-winning Careers Craft. Our speakers provided reflections and insights, and it was also a chance to discuss how we can share and learn from such innovative practice across the UK.

ALT The Award is a legacy and tribute to the work of Dr Bill Law, Founding Fellow of NICEC. His work was recognised internationally and was significant in its impact on the way that career development is conceptualised and practised. The Award will celebrate emerging innovation within the career development sector and importantly, the relationship between research, theory and practice. This award is open to a student who is on or has recently completed (within the last 12 months) a programme such as a level 6 level in career development (including career leaders), PGDip/Masters/SCQF 11, Doctoral students, or a CIPD programme. The submission should present original research or innovative practice in a career or coaching related topic. More information about eligibility criteria, judging criteria and application procedure can be found in the links and the download below.

ALT The National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners is an annual event, brought to you in partnership by the CDI, iCeGS, AGCAS and NICEC. Theme for 2026: Sharing and showcasing practitioner research The upcoming National Research Conference for Careers Practitioners will focus on supporting careers practitioners in all settings to share their research, showcasing a range of excellent work across the whole careers sector. We’ll also be considering how practitioners can engage effectively with research and the importance of evidence-informed careers practice. As ever, we will have a range of expert keynotes, panel speakers and diverse parallel sessions for attendees, and a research poster fair open to all careers practitioners. For the first time, the conference is completely free for all those working in careers and employability, or with an interest in this area.

ALT In keeping with our new approach to the journal we are open to receiving articles on all topics. However, this issue will include a special collection guest edited by Jane Artess focused on the ethics, philosophies, and principles (EPP) underpinning career development work. We welcome papers on all topics as well as those that specifically engage with EPP issues in the context of career development, including but not limited to: Original research Theoretical or concept-based papers Evaluation studies Case studies of innovative and creative approaches to career guidance. Reflective commentary of your own experiences within career guidance and development

ALT Social class - a ramp and a barrier to career aspirations, decision making and pathways Tuesday 20th January 5pm Social class often remains overlooked in discussions and interventions aimed at improving diversity, equality and inclusion. Despite shaping lives and opportunities in profound ways social class remains hard to define, measure and discuss for both individuals and organisations. We know that social class shapes individual’s career decisions and outcomes in several ways, whether through influencing ideas around what is possible or desirable, shaping access to social and cultural capital that make some careers easier to pursue than others, or setting hard financial limits on available career pathways. Career services have a key role to play in levelling this playing field and providing equal access to career knowledge, opportunities and aspirations regardless of background.

ALT As we build up to the Festive break here at NICEC towers, we thought we'd look back over 2025 and recap some of the highlights of our 50th year beginning with a look at Issues 54 and 55 of the NICEC Journal. We're also going to be counting down the most popular Journal articles during the last 12 months!