We are pleased to announce that the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and ACT jointly created a new company, EdLink LLC, on September 2, 2009. EdLink is the nation’s largest provider of tuition assistance management services, expanding upon the services previously offered by CAEL. John Zappa, formerly CAEL’s senior vice president for learner services, has been named as EdLink’s CEO.

EdLink builds on the strength of both CAEL and ACT. CAEL brings its 22 years of knowledge and experience in the management of tuition assistance programs and its impressive list of corporate clients. ACT brings its national reputation, its extensive resources, its complementary services, and its global reach. CAEL and ACT have common missions, values, goals, and a focus on providing services for the education of adults. We could not have a better partner than ACT to position tuition services for growth and success.

The joint venture will allow CAEL to:

• Expand the number of companies and adults that we can reach
• Focus our intellectual capital and attention on research, policy, and innovation in adult learning
• Develop new products and services that further our mission.

Press Release

FAQs About EdLink

Q: Why is this joint venture significant?

A. EdLink is the nation’s largest provider of tuition assistance management services, building upon CAEL’s 22 years of knowledge and experience in the management of tuition programs. EdLink combines CAEL’s knowledge, accomplishment, and innovation in the management of tuition assistance programs with the financial resources and global scope of ACT. EdLink will be positioned to grow and service significantly more clients with best-of-class services and technological support.

Q: Who owns EdLink?

A. ACT and CAEL each own 50% of the new company.

Q. How much market share will the new company have?

A. Through its management of more than $180 million in tuition assistance funds and an active population of almost 800,000 adult learners, EdLink is the market leader in this area.

Q. Why did ACT and CAEL decide to work together
on this venture?

A. The two organizations have worked closely on several projects in the past and are working together today on the National Career Readiness Certificate. As non-profits with similar missions and complementary products and services, we believe we can provide better services in this important market segment (employer assisted lifelong learning) together than either could do alone.

Q. What does ACT bring to this venture?

A. CAEL saw the opportunity to develop, expand or acquire new software systems to continue to offer best-in–class services to its clients. By forming a new company with financial investment by ACT, the new company is able to grow to meet market needs and continue investing in the technology to support client programs.

Q. Was CAEL’s Tuition Assistance Management Division a growing business?

A. The business has been very strong and growing. Companies have continued to provide tuition assistance for their employees, but they are increasingly interested in maximizing the value of their investment. This is precisely the benefit that CAEL's Tuition Assistance Management division and now EdLink provides. Our tuition management service has actually grown, and we have added new clients during the economic downturn. EdLink continues to provide services to its impressive client list, including major employers such as Verizon and Verizon Wireless.

Q. Will the scope of the new company be limited to educational assistance?

A. For the foreseeable future, EdLink will focus on providing tuition assistance management services. In the future, however, EdLink will look to provide additional related services as the business expands.

Q: Where will the new company be located?

A. The new company will be headquartered in Chicago.