A Seat at the Table: How IACET's Standard Respects and Elevates the Learner
Learners are often the silent stakeholders in the world of continuing education and training.
They show up, pay their fees, invest their time, and trust the training they receive will be worth it. But how often do we, as educators and providers, step back and think about what honoring that trust means? That’s where IACET’s Standard and Accreditation come into play—ensuring learners have a seat at the table by putting their needs, goals, and growth at the center of the process.
Many learners may not know what accreditation is or why it matters, but accreditation does matter for them. It’s about safeguarding their time, their money, and their trust. When an organization follows IACET’s Standard, it’s committing to meet compliance guidelines and honoring the learner by ensuring outcomes are intentional, experiences are purposeful, and promises are kept.
Learners aren’t looking for fluff, flashy slides, or entertainment for entertainment’s sake. Sure, those things can add value, but they are not the core of the experience. What learners want—and what they deserve—is to walk away from a course or program with something of value: a skill they didn’t have before, knowledge that unlocks new opportunities, or a credential that represents their achievement.
The IACET Standard ensures this by requiring providers to be intentional about their outcomes. It asks hard questions like:
Why does this learning exist? (Needs Analysis)
- This question ensures programs are designed with a clear understanding of the audience’s needs, goals, and challenges.
What should learners achieve? (Learning Outcomes)
- This question defines measurable and intentional outcomes that align with the learners’ needs.
How will learners achieve those outcomes? (Content & Instruction)
- This ensures content and instructional strategies directly support the desired outcomes.
How do we measure if the outcomes are met? (Outcomes Assessment)
- This ties the learning to robust assessment methods that verify learners have achieved the intended results.
How can the program be improved? (Program Evaluation)
- This focuses on reflection and refinement, using data and feedback to enhance the program’s impact.
And it doesn’t stop there. The Standard holds organizations accountable for measuring whether those goals are met and ensuring the learner receives the promised outcomes. It’s a system of checks and balances that honors the learner’s investment by focusing on tangible results.
This doesn’t mean that every learning experience needs to be entertaining or even enjoyable in the traditional sense. Let’s face it: some learning is hard. But when done right, even the most challenging experiences leave learners feeling their time was well spent and their effort was rewarded.
The IACET Standard also ensures that learners are actively engaged and not just passive participants in a one-way transfer of information. Engagement doesn’t mean gimmicks; it means creating meaningful opportunities for learners to connect with the material, apply it, and see its relevance to their lives. It’s about respecting the learner enough to keep their interests at the forefront, not as an afterthought.
When providers follow the Standard, they send learners a powerful message: Your time matters. Your goals matter. You matter. That’s the essence of giving them a seat at the table—ensuring that even if learners don’t know to ask for intentionality, outcomes, or engagement, they will still receive them.
Accreditation isn’t just a badge for providers; it’s a promise to learners—a promise that their investment will be respected and their growth prioritized. It’s about making sure learners get what they came for, and perhaps even a little more.
Because at the end of the day, the heart of learning is the learner, and honoring that truth is what the IACET Standard is all about.
About the Author
Randy is a seasoned executive leader currently serving as the President and CEO of IACET, a non-profit accrediting body in the continuing education and training sector. With a focus on strategic vision and operational excellence, he effectively leads the organization to achieve its mission and goals.
With over two decades of experience in various leadership roles, Randy has a proven track record of driving organizational success. His expertise lies in aligning technological solutions with strategic objectives, ensuring operational efficiency and sustainable growth.