Accreditation, credentialing, certification, and certificates have created a crowded and sometimes unclear professional learning environment, especially for STEM societies working to expand member value through education and workforce programs. At the same time, knowledge and data have become an organization’s most precious, and most precarious, resources as credentialing evolves into a broader system of content, collaboration, and capability-building.

This presentation offers a practical, field-neutral map of credential types and explores how societies can treat knowledge as infrastructure rather than isolated programming. Attendees will examine what employers and learners actually trust as skill signals, how third-party recognitions can scale credibility and consistency, and how pathway-based models strengthen workforce impact. Together, we’ll emphasize actionable frameworks that help societies align learning, talent strategy, and ecosystem partnerships without adding confusion or unnecessary complexity.

Learning Objectives of webinar

1. Clarify the differences among certificates, certifications, licensure, accreditation, and credentialing.
2. Move from “course and content” to capacity-building ecosystems designed to strengthen workforce alignment.
3. Build intentional pathways where knowledge is treated as workforce infrastructure. 

Attendees will earn 1 CAE credit. CESSE is also a CMP preferred provider.

Registration is limited to CESSE Members. Not a member? Explore the benefits and join CESSE today!

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Meet Your Presenter: Randy Bowman, President and CEO, IACET

Randy Bowmans serves as the President and CEO of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), a non-profit standards development and accrediting body in the continuing education and training space.  With over two decades as a technology leader in community college administration and non-profit education associations, Randy brings a unique perspective that bridges the gap between information technology and educational leadership.  By combining technical expertise with transformative leadership and his commitment to human-centered design he aims to make learning a key to improvement, with every advancement rooted in real-world benefits, ensuring education and technology serve as pathways to human potential and societal progress.

Thank You to Our Partners:

• AMC Consulting
• Betty AI
• Venable LLP
• Results Direct | RD Mobile
• Projection