Awards Criteria

Award

Eligibility & Conditions

Content To Be Addressed in Nomination

Careers Adviser of the Year

This prestigious award honours a Careers Adviser who is making significant contributions to Career Education and development in and beyond their school. It highlights the quality of Career Education in the school, the skills and achievements of the Careers Adviser and their dedication to achieving quality outcomes for students. It is a great opportunity for the award recipients’ school to engage with parents and local media to showcase the quality of Career Education and development in the school. 

Careers Adviser with at least 5 years of experience in a Careers Advising role in a high school.

Professional member of CAA.

Must be signed by a Deputy or Principal at the school.

The Career Adviser should be willing to share what makes them stand out via a workshop presentation at the CAA Annual Conference.

The content to be addressed in the nomination is set out in the nomination form. 

Excellence in Career Development and Education in honour of Hilary Bolin 

The Hilary Bolin award acknowledges one Careers Adviser for their dedication to achieving excellence in Career Development and Education. It recognises commitment to, and involvement in, improving professional standards and the quality of Career Education services of other Careers Advisers for the broader improvement of Career Development and Education in schools. It recognises an individual who has worked diligently and supported their peers, colleagues, students and wider community to achieve success throughout their career. 

Minimum 15 years as a high school Careers Adviser.

Professional or Associate member of CAA.

May be nominated by a network or by the CAA Executive Committee.

Determined by resolution of the CAA Executive Committee.

Detail the:

• ongoing high impact and effectiveness of the practices;
• positive impacts on local and the broader community; 
• ongoing work with school, local 

              network;

• work with at least 2 other external bodies such as DoE, CEO, AIS, unions, CICA, community groups.

Life Membership of CAA 

Margaret Gambley Retirement Award 

This award is given in the year of retirement from the careers position. Margaret Gambley worked tirelessly in the 1970's to have the NSW Department of Education recognise the need for a trained full-time Careers Adviser in every Government high school. Margaret is also regarded as the architect of CAA and played a key role in the creation of our Association in 1975. Her contribution to the development of CAA was continuous and enthusiastic over 30 years.

Professional or Associate member of CAA including CAA Executive Committee Members.

May be nominated by an individual, school, network or the CAA Executive Committee.

Determined by resolution of the CAA Executive Committee.

Provided service to the CAA Executive Committee or contribution to local area over a considerable period of time in excess of 12 years.

Detail the nature of the service to the CAA Executive Committee or contribution to local area including outcomes achieved.

Outstanding Careers Centre 

This Award recognises a High School Career Adviser who has created a significantly purposeful, welcoming, encouraging and well-resourced Careers Centre appropriate for their school. This may include an online presence. 

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Detail how the Careers Centre is: 

• Accessible (including online);
• Well-resourced;
• Purposeful;
• Welcoming & encouraging;
• A positive learning environment.

Please include photos of the Careers Centre and any additional facilities. A video tour of the centre may be included. 

Innovation in Careers Practice 

This award recognises a High School Careers Adviser who has been innovative in Career Education, a creator and implementor of a new and exciting initiative within the Careers education space. This may include a strategy, program, event or technological application.

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

The Career Adviser should be willing to share their innovation via a workshop presentation at the CAA Annual Conference and at their Local Network Meetings.

Detail:

• the innovation;
• the aim;
• time required to create and maintain;
• implementation process;
• the outcomes this innovation has achieved;
• future directions.

Rising Star 

This award recognises a Careers Adviser who is striving to make a difference through their work in their school, making a significant positive impact in their school and school community. 

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

Less than 5 years as a High School Careers Adviser.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Detail:

• What the Careers Adviser does that makes a difference;
• Evidence of value, impact and outcomes achieved. 

Professional Development Award: Technology; Careers Advising; Resource/s; or Work Experience

Careers Advisers who have developed and presented a professional development program for staff or colleagues that is highly regarded for relevance, content, accuracy, engaging delivery and professionalism. 

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Detail the:

• topic; 
• name of the event or seminar; 
• number of attendees; 
• duration of presentation; 
• content and topic areas presented; 

Include a testimonial from the event organiser and 1-2 attendees which references the value, relevance, accuracy, delivery and professionalism.

Submit with the nomination a PowerPoint or other electronic resources used in the presentation.

Excellence in Programming for Diverse Learners 

Careers Advisers who have developed & delivered quality teaching and learning programs adjusted for students with additional learning needs and meeting the: 

• inclusive education statement; 
• disability standards;
• EALD;
• First Nations connected learning strategies,

And using:

• The Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners;
• The Australian Blueprint for Career Development;
• Future Ready Career Education.

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Detail:

• What is the program & why was it designed for a specific cohort;
• How the program caters to the needs of a specific cohort;
• How the adjusted strategies are clearly 

              identified and appropriate;

• Student outcomes achieved;

• How the program meets:
  • The Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners;
  • The Australian Blueprint for Career Development;
  • Future Ready Career Education.

Excellence in Student Engagement 

This award acknowledges the Career Adviser that provides a program engaging their students throughout Stage 6, or over a number of years in high school, to provide an exceptional student experience, helping to promote the professionalism of the industry. This may include lunchtime seminars or workshops, Year Assemblies, Mock Interviews, Career Excursions, Careers Advising from Year 9 to Year 12 or relevant use of technology.

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Describe:

• the student engagement strategies;
• the outcomes achieved.

Excellence in Primary School Careers Education 

This Award recognises a High School Careers Adviser who is providing a program in their local primary/central school or has had a specific focus on engaging Primary aged students in quality Careers Education programs and activities. This may be a single event or other program.

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Describe:

• the nature of the event or programme;
• time or length of the program;
• the preparation required;
• the name of the primary school;
• how or why the program was initiated;
• engagement and outcomes.

Excellence in Careers & Transition Planning 

This Award honours Careers and Transition Teams in schools that exemplify excellence and dedication to serving the needs of students in the transition from high school to post-secondary options. It recognises creative, committed, student focused teams who have demonstrated their ability to provide well planned and supported transitions:

• throughout school; and/or
• from junior to senior schooling; and
• secondary to post-school.

Member of CAA.

Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Describe:

• the features of the team structure;
• operational strengths of the team approach;
• how or why the team was instituted;
• engagement and outcomes/success stories on a whole school or cohort level.

Industry Collaboration Award

Acknowledging a high school Careers Adviser who has collaborated in the development and facilitation of engagement initiatives, activities and, events to achieve positive student learning outcomes.

Regional Industry Education Partnership ("RIEP") initiatives and activities are targeted at high school students and are designed to provide information, skills, training and courses for school students in a range of areas of Industry.

They include: Industry Careers Expo’s; Industry Exposure Days; Industry Information Seminars; Industry Visits & Presentations; Student Projects in Areas of Industry; Industry Skill Development & Training; Student Programs; Traineeship Programs; Industry-specific Work Experience Programs.

See a list of examples of RIEP initiatives which are the types of activities you may refer to your nomination.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Nominees must be:

1. A member of CAA; and
2. A high school Careers Adviser who has collaborated in the development and facilitation of engagement initiatives, activities and, events in partnership with RIEP; and
3. Achieved positive student outcomes from aforementioned engagement.

Detail:

• How the Careers Adviser collaborated in the development and facilitation of engagement initiatives, activities or events;
• School involvement in RIEP initiatives and activities;
• Student involvement in RIEP initiatives and activities;
• Positive school outcomes achieved;
• Positive student outcomes achieved.