Effective training starts with more than engaging content and skilled facilitators. Alyssa Kaszycki of Training Industry explores why strategic alignment is the foundation of great training and how connecting learning initiatives to organizational priorities, stakeholder needs, and measurable outcomes can strengthen training’s impact and demonstrate its value to the organization.
What separates a learning experience people merely sit through from one that actually changes what they can do? This four-part series breaks down the full arc of quality — starting with what "quality" really means beyond satisfaction scores, moving into the curriculum design decisions that set a session up to succeed, then into what it actually takes to facilitate that design well once real people are in the room. We close by turning a critical eye on our own assumptions: How do you know any of it actually worked? Whether you're building continuing education programs, association learning content, or professional development experiences, this series offers a practical framework for designing with intention — and verifying it delivers.
Training delivers value, but can your organization demonstrate it? Alyssa Kaszycki of Training Industry, Inc. looks at why effective evaluation goes beyond attendance and satisfaction, and how learning professionals can use outcomes, application, business impact, stakeholder feedback, and meaningful data to better answer the question every training investment eventually faces: “So what?”
What separates a learning experience people merely sit through from one that actually changes what they can do? This four-part series breaks down the full arc of quality — starting with what "quality" really means beyond satisfaction scores, moving into the curriculum design decisions that set a session up to succeed, then into what it actually takes to facilitate that design well once real people are in the room. We close by turning a critical eye on our own assumptions: How do you know any of it actually worked? Whether you're building continuing education programs, association learning content, or professional development experiences, this series offers a practical framework for designing with intention — and verifying it delivers.
What if one of the most persistent assumptions about continuing education and training is also one of the most damaging? The label “informal” hardly reflects a sector built on defined learning outcomes, qualified instructors, assessment, regulatory requirements, and measurable results. This article challenges that long-standing perception and considers what the label costs the organizations and professionals delivering workforce-critical learning. It also looks at the role of the ANSI/IACET Standard in reinforcing continuing education and training for what it is: structured, accountable, quality-driven education that supports the modern workforce.
