In 1979, alarmed at the claims of many so-called vocational dance and musical theatre schools and at the indifferent quality of much of what passed for dance education and training, a number of eminent dance artists met representatives of the leading dance and performing arts organisations. What emerged from those discussions was the Council for Dance Education and Training, known universally as CDET.

Over the years CDET has established itself as the quality assurance body of the dance and musical theatre industries. It has become the first point of contact for students and others seeking information on the quality of education and training in the United Kingdom and negotiates with government agencies in this country and overseas to ensure the accredited private dance and musical theatre sectors are represented vigorously and consistently at all levels of national and international decision making.