Once the singular source for cutting-edge knowledge in their arenas, today’s associations are battling membership loss and declining sponsorship revenues. Paying close attention—and adapting to—these trends will help keep associations relevant and able to meet their members’ needs.

The learner experience is the most essential aspect of learning and BenchPrep has already observed how Learning Management Systems (LMS) have quickly become obsolete. We predict the LMS as it exists now will be less relevant as learners crave personalization, engaging content, and improved outcomes.

BenchPrep is thrilled to announce our partnership with ProLiteracy, the largest adult literacy and basic education nonprofit organization in the nation. ProLiteracy will utilize our comprehensive learner success platform to help increase adult literacy.

Ashish Rangnekar, CEO at BenchPrep, and Barbara Petitt, Head of Curriculum & Learning Experience at CFA Institute, presented at ATP's Innovations in Testing conference. In the past, few credentialing organizations played a role in the candidate learning experience. With many dealing with scrutiny over the value of testing now, learning programs are starting to be utilized as innovative tools to provide clear value to candidates, employers, and organizations. During Innovations in Testing 2018 conference, CFA Institute and BenchPrep explored the effects of learning on testing program stakeholders through a case study on CFA's approach to building a learning ecosystem, and then analyzed the impact of the launched project.

High school counselors often advise students to attend college, after high school, encouraging them to believe it’s the only way to land a good job and start a career. Parents usually repeat the counselors advice and encourage their kids to pursue a college degree. 40 percent of students who attend college, dropout and never graduate, yet, there are a whole list of jobs out there where they can still be successful. BenchPrep partners with organizations like ACT WorkKeys® to help folks looking to build essential career-relevant skills, without necessarily obtaining a college degree in that field.

Many professionals join associations for their educational opportunities. And, currently, many associations remain rooted in "knowledge-based learning" which focuses on what someone "knows" about their profession/knowledge area. It comes from formal education and isn't always the best approach.