IACET Launches Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council to Advance Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development
The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training
IACET
45591 Dulles Eastern Plaza; P.O Box #805
Sterling, VA 20166
Media Contact
Randy Bowman, President & CEO
Marketing@iacet.org
703.763.0705 Extension 103
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sterling, VA – May 27, 2025 – The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) announces the creation of the Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council (LECC), an innovative multi-sector initiative committed to advancing the global accessibility, quality, and impact of lifelong learning across industries. Hosted through IACET, the LECC convenes a diverse coalition of educational leaders, industry associations, credentialing bodies, workforce development organizations, and consulting service providers to shape a more resilient and responsive learning ecosystem.
The LECC will function as an advisory group concentrating on fostering collaboration, promoting best practices, and aligning strategic efforts that empower adult learners and professionals across the globe. In alignment with member organizations’ missions to empower high-quality training providers, the Council provides a formal structure for cross-sector coordination on critical topics such as credentialing, digital learning, quality frameworks, and the future of work.
“The LECC was established to address both the opportunities and the systemic challenges in lifelong learning and the organizations who support it,” said Randy Bowman, President and CEO of IACET. “By bringing together key stakeholders - including AAACE, CAST, CAEL, ATD Certification Institute, NAWDP, ICE, and more – we’re curating a space to amplify learner impact and workforce readiness on a scale rarely seen before.”
Cross-Sector Leadership in Action
Founding LECC participants include:
- 1EdTech Consortium – Setting technical standards for digital credentials and learning interoperability.
- American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) – Advancing theory, research, and public policy for adult education and social change.
- American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) – The association of associations, amplifying professional development and policy change across the association management landscape.
- Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) – Leading efforts to align learning and work and expand recognition of prior learning.
- CAST – Pioneers of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), promoting inclusive, accessible education for all.
- Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) – Advancing credentialing through standards, research, and professional development.
- Association for Talent Development (ATD) Certification Institute – Setting industry-wide benchmarks for training and development professionals.
- National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) – Equipping workforce practitioners through certification, leadership academies, and national convenings.
- Tagoras – Helping organizations in the business of continuing education and professional development to maximize their reach, revenue, and impact.
- BenchPrep – An edtech firm enabling learner-centered certification and continuing education experiences through adaptive digital platforms.
- Accreditation Guru – Consultants advising providers on accreditation readiness and quality assurance aligned with global standards.
A World That Learns, Trains, and Is Better for All
LECC representatives provided the following comments on their engagement within the cross-sector initiative:
1EdTech
“Reducing complexity, accelerating innovation, and expanding opportunities for learners worldwide through technology and collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at 1EdTech Consortium. Collaborations like the LECC are essential to advancing the adoption and impact of digital credentials, which play a vital role in helping lifelong learners reach their educational and professional goals.” - Curtiss Barnes, CEO, 1EdTech Consortium
AAACE
"It is exciting to represent the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education on the LECC. AAACE's focus on supporting adult learners and educators in all environments is of critical importance as we all navigate the changes within our local and global systems,” said Dr. Tricia Berry, President of AAACE. “The collaborative efforts of the coordinating council will help every organization involved adapt to the ever-changing environment through sharing information and experiences.”
ASAE
“ASAE is proud to be a founding participant in the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “We believe workforce readiness is best achieved through collaboration, and this initiative provides a vital cross-sector platform to align on credentialing, digital learning, quality frameworks, and the future of work. ASAE’s involvement reflects our strategic priority to strengthen workforce development and ensure professionals across industries are equipped for success in a rapidly evolving environment.”
CAEL
“As a membership organization dedicated to helping adult learners and workers access rewarding education-employment pathways, CAEL values the power of cross-sector collaboration,” said CAEL Senior Director of Event Operations Elizabeth Warner, representing CAEL on the LECC. “We look forward to working with our fellow LECC members to scale our individual and collective impact.”
CAST
“This initiative aligns perfectly with CAST’s mission to promote inclusive learning through Universal Design for Learning to support individual’s needs. By collaborating with educational leaders and industry experts, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that lifelong learning opportunities are available to everyone. CAST is proud to be a part of the Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council (LECC)."
Institute for Credentialing Excellence
“The credentialing community and adult continuing education profession can be more impactful and innovative by working together and collaborating. This will be an opportunity to enhance professional ethics and gain a greater understanding of the intricacies of this eco-system. As an organization that values innovation and collaboration, I.C.E. is a proud partner in the Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council (LLEC),” said I.C.E. Executive Director Denise Roosendaal, FASAE, CAE.
ATD Certification Institute
“The ATD Certification Institute believes that harnessing the collaboration across the varied participants in the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council will enhance the effectiveness of workplace learning. Facilitating the transfer of skills and improving learning experiences for program participants ultimately will create a world that works better.”
NAWDP
“The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) is honored to be a member of the Advisory Council for the Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council. We strongly support lifelong learning for adult learners to support career pathways to meet current and future needs of business and industry.”
A distinguishing feature of the LECC is the inclusion of annual consultant partners, including Tagoras, BenchPrep, and Accreditation Guru, whose hands-on work with providers, associations, credentialing bodies, and learners alike offers a real-time pulse on industry trends and challenges.
Tagoras
“At Tagoras, we’re committed to helping learning businesses think and act strategically, and we’re honored to collaborate through the LECC in shaping a more coherent and connected ecosystem for professional development, continuing education, and all forms of lifelong learning,” said Celisa Steele, co-founder of Tagoras and Leading Learning.
BenchPrep
"We're thrilled to join the LECC and collaborate with other leaders who share our commitment to lifelong learning. BenchPrep's partners are focused on empowering learners to achieve credentials, personalize their learning, and develop the necessary competencies to succeed in their respective industries. The future of credentialing is learning." - Ashish Rangnekar, Cofounder and CEO
Accreditation Guru
“As a member of IACET’s Learning Ecosystem Coordinating Council, I’m proud of the opportunity to collaborate with experts dedicated to strengthening the connections between education, training, and workforce development,” shared Jennifer Flowers, Founder & CEO of Accreditation Guru. “The LECC plays a key role in shaping a more cohesive and accessible learning landscape, and I look forward to contributing insights on quality standards and accreditation to support that mission.”
Looking Ahead: Joint Learning and Action
The Council will host quarterly meetings, publish reports, and organize public engagement events to highlight emerging trends and share effective practices. Planned initiatives include:
- Joint webinars and learning sessions through 2025 focused on Building a Culture of Quality, Designing Inclusive and Tech-Enabled Learning, and Bridging Education and Employment.
- Co-creation and publication of a Research Paper on Tomorrow’s Workforce Pipeline.
- Peer-to-peer shared advocacy agenda for high-impact workforce and learning policy.