IACET Authorized Provider Success Stories

The Trend of Lifelong Learning

Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) Neighborhood Connection

IACET Authorized Provider Details

Name: Kim Gerardot

Title: Program Specialist

Organization: FWCS Neighborhood Connection

Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Website: www.neighborhood-connection.org

How long have you been an IACET AP? 10 years

  

FWCS Neighborhood Connection knows all about certification and training. The organization offers computer certificate and certification courses, language, certified nurse training, and a number of other health, art, and special-interest courses. But it wasn’t until someone in FWCS’ career center suggested becoming an IACET Authorized Provider that it decided to apply.

FWCS has been quite pleased with the results. “The membership with IACET allows us to provide our participants with verification of skills to present to current or future employers,” says Kim Gerardot, an FWCS program specialist. “It also allows us to be competitive with the local colleges and universities.”

The organization lists its IACET AP status on its portfolio of learning outcomes, test scores, attendance records, and certificates. Its commitment will only become more important to FWCS, which as a community resource has seen certain trends in continuing education and training, such as the proliferation of programs filling a need for older adults to be retrained as companies close or make drastic cutbacks. And IACET’s CEU helps establish high-quality standards that cross the various disciplines FWCS covers in its effort to promote lifelong learning.