Council for Adult and Experimental Learning

What Council for Adult and Experimental Learning does

Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), legally Strada Collaborative, Inc., is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1974 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, that operates as an intermediary connecting adult learners to education and employment pathways. With 51-100 employees and a 5,000+ member network spanning employers, postsecondary institutions, workforce development boards, industry associations, and foundations, CAEL develops standards, tools, and coalitions that address the structural disconnect between education providers and employer talent needs, particularly for adult learners facing cost, time, and credit-recognition barriers.

CAEL's product portfolio centers on credit for prior learning (CPL) and adult learner support services. Core technology-enabled products include Credit Predictor Pro, a CPL assessment tool for institutions and learners, and the CPL Provider Network, a nationwide searchable database of postsecondary institutions recognizing prior learning. CAEL operates two industry coalitions: the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE), serving 3,500+ energy-sector member companies with over 100 online courses and tuition discounts up to 20%, and the National Alliance for Communications Technology Education and Learning (NACTEL). Additional programmatic offerings include the MyCareerForward regional initiative, the Truist Foundation-funded Build Better Careers financial services pathway initiative spanning four U.S. regions, the Adult Learner Academy, CAEL Standards frameworks, an annual conference, and professional development/training services. CAEL is a subsidiary of Strada Education Network.

Revenue is generated through five streams: (1) membership dues from a 5,000+ member base including EPCE employer memberships; (2) foundation grants (anchored by a $15.7M Truist Foundation commitment over six years, plus Ascendium, Strada, Charles Koch Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and GitLab Foundation); (3) government contracts and grants from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, and USDA; (4) fees from professional development courses, webinars, and conference events; and (5) industry coalition membership and partnership revenue. Go-to-market is hybrid: membership-driven for ongoing engagement, enterprise sales to employers and industry groups via EPCE/NACTEL and regional initiatives, and event-driven via the annual CAEL Conference and virtual convenings.

Name

Council for Adult and Experimental Learning

Legal name

Strada Collaborative, Inc.

Website

https://cael.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CAEL is a national nonprofit membership organization founded in 1974 that connects adult learners to education and employment pathways through credit-for-prior-learning standards, industry coalitions (EPCE, NACTEL), and workforce development initiatives serving 5,000+ member employers, educators, and foundations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

Keywords

• Adult learning pathways
• Credit for prior learning
• Workforce development
• Industry-education partnerships
• Adult learner support

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CAEL operates as a membership organization with different membership types offering benefits including resources, best practices, networking, and professional development. Membership fees provide recurring revenue and access to CAEL's network of 5,000+ members.
2. Foundation Grants and Funding: CAEL receives significant grant funding from foundations including Truist Foundation ($15.7 million six-year grant for financial services career pathways), and partnerships with foundations such as Ascendium, Charles Koch Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Strada Education Foundation, and others.
3. Government Contracts and Grants: CAEL receives funding and partnerships from governmental entities including U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, and USDA for workforce development and adult education initiatives.
4. Professional Development and Training: CAEL offers professional development courses, webinars, and training programs including self-paced and live online professional development courses. Revenue generated from training programs and events.
5. Industry Coalitions (EPCE/NACTEL): CAEL administers industry coalitions including EPCE (Energy Providers Coalition for Education) which connects employees at 3,500+ member companies to industry-built academic programs. Members receive discounted tuition rates of up to 20% with education partners, generating value through employer membership fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CAEL is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization that helps adult learners navigate pathways between education and employment. Its core offerings include credit for prior learning assessment (via Credit Predictor Pro and the CPL Provider Network), industry-driven online education coalitions (EPCE for energy and NACTEL for communications), regional workforce alignment initiatives (MyCareerForward and the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers program), professional development and training, an annual conference, and a multi-stakeholder membership network of 5,000+ employers, workforce boards, postsecondary educators, and foundations.

Product overview

CAEL operates as a membership-based national nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on adult learning and workforce development. The core offerings include EPCE (Energy Providers Coalition for Education) for industry-specific online education, Credit Predictor Pro for credit assessment, and the CPL Provider Network for credit-for-prior-learning institution matching. CAEL also delivers initiatives like MyCareerForward (regional workforce alignment), the Build Better Careers Initiative (Truist Foundation-funded financial services pathway program), and the Adult Learner Academy (professional development). Additional offerings include CAEL Standards, annual conferences, webinars, professional training, and membership services for over 5,000 institutional members including educators, workforce boards, and employers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE): An industry coalition providing 100% online energy education and training programs for the energy sector's workforce, with over 3,500 member companies and education partners offering credentials from micro-credentials to advanced degrees.
• EPCEonline.org
• MyCareerForward

Products and services

• EPCE (Energy Providers Coalition for Education) CAEL-administered industry coalition offering online energy education programs from micro-credentials to advanced degrees, connecting employees at 3,500+ member companies to industry-built academic programs, with tuition discounts up to 20% for employees of member companies.
• Credit Predictor Pro Technology-enabled product designed to help institutions and adult learners assess and predict credit for prior learning outcomes, helping translate prior experience into academic credit.
• CPL Provider Network Nationwide searchable database of postsecondary institutions offering credit for prior learning options, empowering institutions with resources to thrive in the CPL arena and helping students connect with institutions recognizing prior learning experiences.
• CAEL Standards Established standards and frameworks for credit for prior learning (CPL) and adult learner support that CAEL promotes across postsecondary institutions as best practices for the field.
• MyCareerForward Regional initiative aligning partners to help adult learners navigate education-to-employment journeys, developing replicable models for tracking learner progress from outreach through training, educational attainment, and employment with a vision for data interoperability.
• Where It Starts: Build Better Careers Initiative Six-year national initiative across Charlotte NC, Memphis TN, South Florida, and DC-MD-VA regions to improve connections between postsecondary institutions, the financial services sector, and workforce development organizations, prioritizing BIPOC and women adult learners.
• Adult Learner Academy Professional development and support program for adult learners offering self-paced and live online courses to help adult learners succeed in their educational and career pursuits.
• CAEL Conference Annual conference (52nd annual) bringing together educators, workforce developers, employers, and industry groups to discuss adult learning and workforce development, offering professional development, networking, and thought leadership along with sponsorship opportunities.
• Professional Development & Training Self-paced and live online professional development courses for adult learner support professionals, including webinars and training programs with monthly session cohorts.
• CAEL Membership National membership program providing resources, tools, best practices, and networking opportunities for postsecondary educators, workforce development boards, employers, and industry groups serving adult learners, with 5,000+ members.
• NACTEL (National Alliance for Communications Technology Education and Learning) CAEL-administered industry coalition for the communications technology sector, connecting employers with education and training programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.27 million adult learner reach in 2023
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• STEMup Science and Technology FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025STEMup announced partnerships with Midwest Urban Strategies and CAEL as part of its grant from the R.K. Mellon Foundation. Collaborations aim to enhance workforce development, venture creation, and adult learning in Pittsburgh and across the United States.
• LightcastcoreTechnology or IntegrationLightcast (formerly Emsi Burning Glass) provides labor market data and analytics to support CAEL's workforce development initiatives. Partnership enables data-informed career pathway design and competency mapping across CAEL programs.
• CollegeAppcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollegeApp provides predictive analytics that support CAEL's research on adult learner intentions. Co-sponsored the survey projecting 41.7 million adults plan to pursue education, using CollegeAPP's predictive analytics.
• PAIRINsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPAIRIN provides workforce development tools and assessments that support CAEL's career pathway and skill development initiatives.
• RiipensupportingTechnology or IntegrationRiipen provides experiential learning and work-integrated learning platforms that support CAEL's workforce development initiatives.
• PSG Energy TrainingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSG Energy Training joined EPCE as a new education partner in 2025, offering leading non-credit courses for the electric power and energy industries. Joins existing partners Bismarck State College, Clemson University, Excelsior University, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
• Bismarck State CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPCE education partner offering online courses and credentials in the energy sector as part of the coalition's industry-built academic programs.
• Clemson UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPCE education partner offering online courses and credentials in the energy sector as part of the coalition's industry-built academic programs.
• Excelsior UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPCE education partner offering online courses and credentials in the energy sector as part of the coalition's industry-built academic programs.
• Worcester Polytechnic InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPCE education partner offering online courses and credentials in the energy sector as part of the coalition's industry-built academic programs.
• U.S. Department of EducationcoreOthersFederal government partner supporting CAEL's educational initiatives and adult learning programs through grants and recognition.
• U.S. Department of LaborcoreOthersFederal government partner supporting workforce development initiatives through CAEL, including employment and training programs.
• Burning Glass InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBurning Glass Institute (now merged into Lightcast) is a nonprofit advancing data-driven research and practice on the future of work. Partner in the MyCareerForward initiative for Pittsburgh region, providing labor market insights.
• Midwest Urban StrategiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Midwest Urban Strategies and their member workforce development boards. Also partner in STEMup collaboration for workforce development and venture creation in Pittsburgh.
• Vibrant PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in the MyCareerForward Pittsburgh initiative. Vibrant Pittsburgh's mission is to build a thriving and inclusive Pittsburgh region by attracting, retaining, and elevating diverse talent, with over 100 employer members.
• Catalyst ConnectionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in the MyCareerForward Pittsburgh initiative, supporting manufacturing extension and workforce development.
• Pittsburgh ScholarHousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in the MyCareerForward Pittsburgh initiative, using two-generation strategies to disrupt the cycle of poverty by enabling postsecondary educational attainment.
• Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in the MyCareerForward Pittsburgh initiative, representing local higher education institutions in the region.
• CareerWork$ (BankWork$ program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner in the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing banking career pathway programs supporting adult learners entering financial services.
• Central Piedmont Community CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Charlotte NC for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing postsecondary education pathways.
• University of North Carolina CharlottesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Charlotte NC for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing postsecondary education pathways.
• Winthrop UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Charlotte NC for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing postsecondary education pathways.
• Johnson C. Smith UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Charlotte NC for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing postsecondary education pathways.
• Goodwill of Southern PiedmontsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Charlotte NC for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing workforce development services.
• Charlotte WorkssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce board partner in Charlotte NC for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative.
• LeMoyne-Owen CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Memphis TN for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing postsecondary education pathways.
• University of MemphissupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in Memphis TN for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing postsecondary education pathways.
• CareerSource South FloridasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce board partner in South Florida for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative.
• OIC of South FloridasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in South Florida for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative, providing workforce training and services.
• Employ Prince George'ssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in DC-MD-VA region for the Truist Foundation Build Better Careers initiative.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CAELChicago/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/caelnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cael
• Xx.com/caelnews

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Council for Adult and Experimental Learning