Founding membership is free for the first year. Applications are now open.
Join now →HKCDA has two membership types: Full Member and Associate Member. We review each application and confirm the membership type with the applicant.
For people who work in career development now, or hold a recognised career development qualification. This includes careers teachers in primary and secondary schools, university and college careers staff, NGO employment support staff and independent career coaches.
You need to meet one of the following: hold a career development or coaching qualification recognised by HKCDA, or have worked in career development for at least 12 months and still do. See Full Member criteria for details.
Full Members are listed in the member directory on our website. You choose what is shown, and the directory is updated each year at renewal.
For people interested in career development, studying for a related qualification, or working in a neighbouring field such as HR, mental health, education or social services.
Associate Members are not listed in the directory. If you later meet the Full Member criteria, you can switch when you renew.
Full Members are career development practitioners in Hong Kong — listed in the HKCDA member directory and renewing annually. We have six streams covering the major areas of practice.
Staff at career centres in Hong Kong's universities and self-financing institutions, including career advisers, employment counsellors and related academic staff.
Life planning teachers and career education coordinators in primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong. You are the largest group in the Association, and your needs are a priority.
University entrepreneurship centre staff, social enterprise support practitioners and youth entrepreneurship trainers — working at the intersection of career and enterprise.
Practitioners providing employment counselling, vocational training or employment support for vulnerable groups in non-governmental organisations.
Practitioners providing career coaching services independently or on a self-employed basis, including those holding GCDF, CCSP and other recognised credentials.
Those currently studying career development programmes (e.g. CUSCS PCCDF) or newly credentialled practitioners just starting out. You are the future of the profession.
Full Member applicants need to meet one of the two paths below. If you don't, you can apply as an Associate Member instead.
Hold any one of the following qualifications:
Currently working in career development, for at least 12 months in total, and meeting one of the following:
Associate Member: Anyone who does not meet either path above — including those currently studying a related qualification, those who previously worked in career development but have since left the field, and those working in a neighbouring field.
Declaration & Verification: Applicants self-declare and provide the qualification name or job title; HKCDA may conduct spot checks. Eligibility is re-declared at each annual renewal and determined based on that year's circumstances.