For membership organisations providing professional certifications to their members, leveraging credentials, certification programs, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) presents a valuable opportunity to elevate what they offer. In today’s landscape, integrating modern learning technology is critical to enhancing certification programs effectively.

A robust certification program serves as a conduit for organisations to impart essential skills and knowledge in a standardised manner, playing a pivotal role in the development of members’ expertise. Research indicates that 62% of members consider certifications a significant benefit of their membership, highlighting their importance in fostering professional growth.

Launching and managing certification programs not only reinforces an association’s value within its industry but also extends visibility to the broader public. Associations with successful certifications tend to encourage heightened loyalty from members while generating direct revenues from certification courses and credentials.

Navigating Challenges in Scaling Certification Programmes

Building a best-in-class certification program requires time and effort. Managing such programs often involves laborious manual processes, including updating questions, assessments, and adapting to evolving industry standards. The scalability of certification programs becomes a pressing concern as membership grows and demand for certifications surges. Failure to address these challenges promptly risks undermining an association’s credibility and member satisfaction.

Homegrown Learning Management Systems (LMS) underscore these challenges, necessitating continuous in-house updates to accommodate growing demands. Moreover, these systems are often ill-equipped for external learning, necessitating workarounds for implementing new features.

Leveraging Modern Learning Tech for Streamlined Certification Programmes

Embracing modern learning technology offers a streamlined approach to managing certification programs. Here’s how Thought Industries supports organisations in achieving their certification goals:

  • Higher Visibility: Thought Industries’ platform provides learners with clear insights into their enrolled courses and certifications, fostering a focused learning environment. Customisable dashboards and community features promote social learning, while reminders and notifications keep learners on track.
  • Engagement Tools: The platform incorporates AI-driven engagement tools such as gamification, adaptive learning paths, and personalised recommendations, ensuring sustained learner motivation. Features like the AI Coach, powered by Bongo, offer real-time feedback, enhancing learning outcomes.
  • Personalised Learning at Scale: Native course and content authoring capabilities eliminate the need for switching between platforms, enabling the creation of interactive and personalised learning experiences. Thought Industries’ Panorama ensures each account has a dedicated learning environment tailored to its specific requirements, empowering administrators with full control over content and configurations.

The Linux Foundation’s Success Story

The Linux Foundation, facing challenges with customising, monetising, and scaling their certification programs, experienced a transformative journey with Thought Industries’ enterprise learning platform. Since its adoption, the foundation has witnessed a 50% growth in training and certification revenue, serving over 200,000 individuals globally.

“Our certification workflow is extremely complex. There’s a lot of nuance to how we present those products. Thought Industries’ core product gets us most of the way there, but we now have access to their headless framework, Helium, to customise where we need it. Our team is really excited about that.”

Clyde Seepersad, Senior Vice President for Training and Certification, The Linux Foundation

Empowering Associations for Success

Incorporating scalable infrastructure into certification programs is essential for associations to maximise their impact. Modern learning technology not only minimises resource overheads but also transforms certifications into potent sources of revenue and member engagement. To achieve and exceed these objectives, associations should seek enterprise solutions that prioritise intuitive learning experiences, sustained engagement, and personalised scalability.

Want to see how it works in action? Schedule a demo of the Thought Industries platform.

Alan Hiddleston
Alan HiddlestonSenior Vice President of Global Sales, Thought Industries