🎓Insight to Action: Association Learning Lifts Industries!
Training, PD, CE & Credentialing -
Association Learning Lifts Industries!
Across MSAE’s Insight Podcast, it's clear that Michigan associations treat professional development like a growth engine—upskilling people, opening pathways, and tying learning to real credentials and careers. What follows are quick, practical snapshots you can borrow for your own portfolio.
Stackable Learning, Scholarships, & Cohorts
Erica Willard, CEO of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children, described a clear “learning ladder” for early-childhood professionals. It starts with scholarships that help pay for college—from an entry-level Child Development Associate (CDA) credential all the way to a master’s degree. From there, educators can join a peer group for program directors, take an “Early Foundations” series for those newer to the field, attend a leadership institute for administrators, and dive into a conference focused on working with infants and toddlers. An online knowledge center ties it all together so people can keep learning at their own pace.
Full-Spectrum Learning Inside a Trade Association
Patty Corkery, President & Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Credit Union League and Affiliates, shared about a year-round education program that serves everyone from board members to frontline staff, anchored by an annual conference and robust compliance support—demonstrating how PD can be built as a whole-organization system.
Licensure-Linked Learning for School Leaders
Wendy Zdeb, Executive Director, Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, explained how MASSP pairs online and in-person offerings with an Alternate Route to Administrator Certification and a mentorship/coach model—illustrating how PD can ladder directly into recognized credentials while supporting leaders on the job.
Certification that Strengthens an Ecosystem
Ryan Hundt, CEO, Michigan Works! Association, highlighted the certified Business Solutions Professional program—built for workforce professionals and partners—and MWA’s statewide calendar of trainings, conferences, and workshops. It’s a blueprint for scalable, role-specific credentialing that keeps pace with employer demand.
Registered Apprenticeship with a National Credential
Jada Paisley, Executive Director, Michigan Golf Course Association, explained how MGCA serves as the intermediary with the U.S. Department of Labor for a registered apprenticeship. Competencies were co-designed with industry partners, and completers earn journeyworker status and a national occupation credential—proof that associations can build durable pipelines, not just classes.
CE that Meets Members Where They Are
Phil Douma’s team at the Michigan Funeral Directors Association built systems, statewide CE tours, and convention programming to help licensees track and earn required hours—tying PD directly to practice needs. John Tramontana, CEO, Michigan Dental Association, underscored a similar “value-to-practice” approach with continuing education alongside other core services.
The Takeaway
Effective association learning portfolios are comprehensive (from entry to executive), stackable (scholarships, certifications, apprenticeships), and tightly coupled to real work (licensure, compliance, employer demand). If you’re refining your own PD strategy, start by mapping clear pathways—from first course to recognized credential—and build the wraparound supports that carry members the whole way. MSAE's Fall edition of Impact magazine is loaded with information about training, PD, CE and credentialing - look for it in your mailbox in the coming weeks!
MSAE is proud to be well into our second year publishing our podcast, Insight. Insight explores how associations tackle today’s challenges—and the leaders behind the work. This new companion blog series, Insight to Action, distills key themes and takeaways from all of the episodes, sharing real-world examples you can apply in your own organization. Click here to explore all Insight episodes.