According to an annual survey of CAEL members, which includes more than 5,000 individuals and hundreds of institutions, 70% of respondents are strongly engaged, well above the 40% threshold for “best in class” membership organizations established by an independent research entity in 2022. Since that time, the share of “strongly engaged” members in the survey has grown by 75%.
Under the survey’s methodology, respondents are “strongly engaged" if they score CAEL’s value as “excellent” or “very good" and indicate that they are “extremely” or “very” likely to recommend CAEL.
In the most recent survey, which also collected free-form responses, members described CAEL as an "invaluable resource" and recognized its position "at the forefront of the industry with research, tools, and strategies to help support adult learners."
In addition to relying directly on CAEL to stay informed on industry updates and evolving best practices, respondents place profound value in the community of practice CAEL membership entails, comments indicated.
Engagement is a key performance indicator for membership organizations and is recognized as a significant factor in member retention and satisfaction. In addition, engaged members are more likely to participate in events. This positive feedback loop strengthens the sense of community that is itself at the heart of CAEL’s mission and its ability to deliver systemic impact through collective action.
It is reflected in the record-breaking attendance at CAEL’s annual conference and a membership that is increasing not only in quantity but now covers more of the workforce ecosystem than ever before. Most important, it is evident in the growing numbers of adult learners and workers who are accessing rewarding education and employment pathways.
CAEL is grateful for the self-sustaining dynamic that connects high membership engagement and an energized community of practice. At the same time, it recognizes that such engagement is also a mechanism for feedback and continual improvement inspired by members’ diverse perspectives and suggestions.
For this reason, CAEL regularly hosts webinars and other interactive member events, most recently CAEL's annual Member Appreciation Month. Such features complement the daily engagement on CAEL’s Member Hub, where member-only training resources, forums, and recordings of past events—including findings from CAEL’s membership survey—can be found.
Sweeping changes to funding, shifting priorities, and accelerating AI influence have created a singularly challenging time for the workforce ecosystem. At the same time, this tumult makes it the ideal time to join CAEL and discover the exclusive benefits designed to empower postsecondary education providers, employers, workforce boards, chambers of commerce, and other organizations aligned around an unwavering commitment to the success of adult learners and workers:
More information about the benefits of CAEL membership and how to join are at cael.org.