Awards Criteria

CAA has a policy in place which details: 

  • Judging Panel: Eligibility; Composition; Conflict of Interest; Quorum; Confidentiality; Decisions.
  • Award Category Changes, Nominee Eligibility & Meeting Criteria.
  • School Endorsement.

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. 
  1. Careers Adviser with at least 5 years of experience in a Careers Advising role in a high school.
  2. Professional member of CAA.
  3. Must be signed by a Deputy or Principal at the school.
  4. 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. 
  1. Minimum 15 years as a high school Careers Adviser.
  2. Professional or Associate member of CAA.
  3. May be nominated by a network or by the CAA Executive Committee.
  4. 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 

 Life Membership of CAA is awarded, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, to current or past Executive Members, who have made a significant contribution over a large time frame, to the development and/or operation of the Association. Recipients should be directly responsible for significant change in the organisation, in at least one focus area of operation. Decided by resolution of the Executive Committee and awarded at Annual Conference. This award is not open for nominations.

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.
  1. Professional or Associate member of CAA including CAA Executive Committee Members.
  2. May be nominated by an individual, school, network or the CAA Executive Committee.
  3. Determined by resolution of the CAA Executive Committee.
  4. 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 including 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. 

 

 
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. 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.
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. May be nominated by an individual, school or network.
  4. 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. 
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. Less than 5 years as a High School Careers Adviser.
  4. 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. 
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. 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.
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

Detail:

  • What the program is & why it was 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 aligns with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

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.
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. 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.
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. 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 - Individual or Careers Team Award

This Award honours an individual or a Careers Team 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.

May be nominated by an individual, school or network.

  1. Team nomination:
    1. For a team of three or more, at least 2 individuals in the team must be CAA financial members.
    2. The named nominee in the nomination form must be the Careers Adviser.
    3. All members of the team must be employed in and work at the same school.
  2. Individual Nomination:
    1. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
    2. Financial member of CAA.

Describe:

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

 

Local Legacy Award (For Retiring Careers Advisers)

The Local Legacy Award recognises a retiring Careers Adviser who may not meet the eligibility criteria for the NSW CAA Margaret Gambley Award, but whose sustained commitment, leadership, and generosity have made a significant and lasting impact on Careers Education within their local community.

This award is issued by CAA and presented by the Careers Adviser network.
  1. Retiring in the year awarded or the year prior to the year awarded. 
  2. Current financial member of CAA with a minimum of 5 years as a CAA financial member. 
  3. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  4. May be nominated by an individual, school or network.
  5. The nominee has made a significant contribution at a local or regional level through service, leadership, and collaboration.
  6. Award presented by the network.
 Detail the nature of the service to the local Careers Adviser network, and Careers Adviser colleagues including service, contribution, collegiality, collaboration, leadership, commitment, impact and outcomes.

Distinguished Careers Service Award

Recognises a Careers Adviser who significantly supports colleagues, models collaborative and ethical leadership, strengthens the profession, and positively impacts the capability and wellbeing of peers.
  1. Financial member of CAA.
  2. Careers Adviser in a NSW or ACT High School.
  3. May be nominated by an individual, school or network.
 Detail how the nominee demonstrates:
  • Outstanding collegial support: Actively assists other Careers Advisers by sharing knowledge, resources, advice and practical support.
  • Generosity and collaboration: Willingly gives time and expertise to help colleagues succeed, fostering a culture of collaboration rather than competition.
  • Leadership through influence: Leads by example, offering guidance, encouragement and informal mentoring to both new and experienced Careers Advisers.
  • Commitment to the profession: Shows dedication to strengthening the careers profession through networking, professional learning, advocacy or participation in professional associations and initiatives.
  • Positive impact on Careers Adviser colleagues: Makes a meaningful and measurable difference to the confidence, capability or wellbeing of other Careers Advisers.
  • Professional integrity and respect: Demonstrates professionalism, empathy and respect in interactions with colleagues.