L&D Career Pathways

The map

Where an L&D career goes

The ten AITD Capability Framework job profiles, grouped by the level each one mostly calls for. Click any role and the panel below updates to show what it involves, the capability areas it leans on and where it leads next. People move sideways as often as up, so use the filters to see the kind of work you enjoy.

DesignDeliveryTechnologyPartnering & leadership

What members told us

Clear paths, people to walk them with, recognition at the end

From the AITD National L&D Survey (interim, October 2026) and the AITD and Big Bloom career pathways hackathon on 15 October 2026.

22%

aim for Head of Learning

The most common career goal, with Executive (12%) and L&D Manager (11%) next.

34%

want Strategy and Partnering

The capability members most want to build in the next three years.

8.3/10

hackathon satisfaction

What participants valued most was simply working alongside other L&D professionals.

The barriers are few senior roles, inconsistent job titles, a crowded market and ageism. The map above uses one set of role names so you can compare like with like.Why this page uses the Capability Framework profiles rather than employer job titles

Take your next step

Four things you can do this month

Find your level

Members rate themselves against all 31 capabilities, compare their profile with target roles and build a development plan.

Capability Assessment

Find a mentor, or be one

The ANZ Mentoring Program pairs you with an experienced L&D professional for ten months. 2027 intake: 1 Feb to 30 Nov, registrations close 31 Jul.

Get recognised

Log development in the CPD Diary for the annual CPD badge. Apply for Associate Fellow (AFAITD) or Fellow (FAITD) when your experience qualifies.

Fellows and CPD

Find your next role

The AITD L&D Jobs Board lists roles from across Australia. Members post up to three listings a year free. Coming: listings tagged by role profile and level.

Browse roles

Coming next

Built with members, in this order

Each one needs the one before it, so we are building them in sequence and inviting members in at every stage.

Early 2027

Accelerator working groups

Member teams take an open brief, build something the profession needs, and earn CPD, a digital credential and a named, published piece of work. First brief: version 1 of this career framework.

2027

The L&D Hive

A member-led community of practice on AITD's online platform: specialist channels, Think Tanks, Lunch and Learns and Walk in My Shoes sessions.

Later

Career Quest

A guided, personalised journey: assess your starting point, choose a quest, earn badges, take your next step.

Thank you

Five ideas from the L&D Career Pathways hackathon

On 15 October 2026, L&D professionals from across Australia gave an afternoon to AITD and Big Bloom to answer one question: how might AITD help L&D professionals take their next career step?

Team 1

AITD Accelerator

Member-led project groups that earn CPD, credentials and a published portfolio piece.

Now: the first working-group brief

Team 2 · Winner

AITD L&D Hive

A member-led community of practice with themed channels and recurring events.

Now: the community pilot

Team 3

Beyond the Binder

A capability matrix mapping career tracks to levels.

Now: the map on this page

Team 4

AITD Career Quest

A gamified, choose-your-own-adventure career journey with self-assessment and badges.

Later: the member journey

Team 5

Elevate

A channel-based community of practice organised by specialism.

Now: merged into the Hive

Thank you to every participant, to the AITD team leads, and to Gergana David and Big Bloom for designing and running the session. A full participant roll will be added here with their permission.

Help shape L&D career pathways

Tell us if you would like to join an Accelerator working group, help shape the L&D Hive, or become a mentor. We will be in touch as each program opens.

AITD Partners

You help everyone else grow. This is the map for your own career.