Intersect With Earl May 2025

Written by Earl Buford | May 12, 2025

We continue to ramp up our efforts to promote economic mobility by bridging workforce training, higher education degrees, and employer hiring practices. Many have lost their jobs in recent months, underscoring the importance of linking learning and work, including through apprenticeships, where CAEL has announced a new partnership. As a friendly reminder, all of these topics, and many more, will be center stage at our 51st annual conference, which will occur in Memphis, Tenn. Virtual sessions and pre-conference workshops start November 11th. In-person conference activities begin November 12th. Register at cael.org.

Improving clarity when matching job seekers to career opportunities: A less-than-transparent process is growing murkier as job seekers leverage AI to craft resumes. These traditional mainstays of recruiting and hiring are no longer reliable indicators of candidate competencies. We are addressing this challenge in our expanding work in Pittsburgh, which includes experimenting with ways to verify skills and credentials through learning and employment records. Now, California hopes its “Career Passport” will help students better signal their workforce readiness. In this EdSource piece, Wilson Finch explained how this is a worthy challenge best suited to a systemic approach.

The power of CPL in HBCUs: On April 14, CAEL and Lumina Foundation hosted Advancing Adult Learners to Completion: The Power of Credit for Prior Learning in HBCUs. In an April 22 article, Inside Higher Ed shared some of the takeaways from the national webinar. Many thanks to Drs. Gloria Mwase, Alicia Myrick, and Monique Tuset for organizing a great session.

Latest CAEL research: As more colleges and universities become aware of the many benefits of credit for prior learning, efforts to scale and improve CPL programs are growing. Program designers need to consider the various parameters established by policymakers, including relevant accreditors. CAEL’s latest research report helps them do just that. Congratulations to Becky Klein-Collins on the publication of Accreditor Policies on Credit for Prior Learning: Guidance on CPL Provided by the Formerly Regional Accreditors, Career-Based Accreditors, and Faith-Related Accreditors.

CAEL Member Mention: Congratulations to National University for being the first veteran-founded university approved to sponsor a Registered Apprenticeship Program for the K-12 teaching profession. And speaking of members and apprenticeships, CAEL and Apprenticeships for America have rolled out a joint membership program. Through the end of this month, CAEL members can sign up for a complimentary AFA membership valid through Dec. 31, 2026. During the same period, AFA members can purchase a CAEL individual membership at a 50% discounted rate.