JOINING AALEP

The motivation for joining AALEP depends on the company’s or member’s individual goals and objectives. They are not just limited to networking.   Here below are the major reasons for joining:

1. Networking

AALEP is filled with potential contacts, clients and partners who can help your business move to the next level and become more prominent. Due to data protection, AALEP cannot give open access to the contact details of other members but as a member you can request to connect.  The more active you are, the more you will see opportunities to build long-term relationships and partnerships which are mutually beneficial. Business never comes to those that stand still or hide. AALEP provides a trusted environment where like-minded individuals can come together to share ideas, strengthen ties, collaborate and make connections.

2. Training, Education, Professional Development

Continued education and personal development is crucial in getting to the top of any profession. AALEP regularly holds or supports events, seminars, workshops and training classes that help members to learn and grow in the profession. Even outside of these official events, members have opportunities to access third party training courses allowing them to gain knowledge and share experience.

3. Standards, Code of Ethics, Certification

In addition to training and education, AALEP provides certification programs that are not available to non-members. AALEP’s certification provides a level of prestige and reliability in the minds of clients and customers that is invaluable.

4. Recognition

In addition to providing access to training and education, AALEP provides recognition for the contributions an organization makes. These endorsements and validations provide a level of prestige and credibility in the minds of clients and customers which is invaluable.

5. Influence/Advocacy/Lobbying

One of the key benefits of joining AALEP is the ability to support its mission and possibly influence legislation/policy that affects the sector. The combined resources of the members of AALEP are often used to lobby policy makers and sway public opinion more positively towards AALEP’s goals than any one organization can hope to achieve, irrespective of its size.

6. Insight

Membership in AALEP means immediate access to news or developments that affect your business and the sector as a whole. AALEP allows you to not only find news but also disseminate your own company's news. Outside of the usual communication of members between each other, AALEP also provides email updates and informative resources that help members stay on top of recent developments in the field through social media channels.

7. Promotion

AALEP publishes informative content on its website. This helps members to reach their target audience with content which addresses the key issues/ topics at the relevant time. The source of content can take the form of articles, updates, whitepapers and or case studies which are authored either by AALEP or written by the members themselves.  Published content is normally reviewed by AALEP to ensure a balanced view is maintained.

8. Best Practices/Standards

Any line of work has a specific set of Best Practices / Standards which are deemed important to ensure efficiency, repeatable quality, consistent service delivery or client confidence, especially for anyone new to the profession.  Membership in AALEP is a vital link to learning these practices and performing the best work possible. The fast pace of technology and market competition means that these practices are constantly updating and changing, and it is important to take advantage of any practices that can improve your business.

9. Exchange of Ideas

Not only do members have access to information about updates in the sector, they can also play a large role in determining these changes. AALEP provides a forum for members to share ideas and develop new ways to improve the industry through the creation of SIG’s (Special Interest Group) or by collaborating on R&D projects. Access is normally open to all members and this allows for more experienced members to help newer ones grow and provides the opportunity for all members to share innovative ideas that can help the whole sector.

10. Relationships

Aside from all of the professional benefits that are available, AALEP also provides an opportunity for members to connect to other associations as well. AALEP often works on joint initiatives with other associations  either directly or indirectly connected to its specific area of focus. These strategic alliances provide members with valuable insight and further collaborative opportunities.

11. Sustainability
AALEP can play a vital role in bringing stakeholders together to address the skills shortage issue to ensure the sector has the visibility it needs to help facilitate a sustainable skilled workforce to meet future demand.