Biography

Hello, I am Wilson Finch, and I have spent the past 14 years bridging higher education and workforce development through expertise in work-based learning, credit mobility, policy development, credit for prior learning (CPL), and skills validation across 35 states and 3 countries.  As a higher education leader with 10+ years managing multi-state education-workforce initiatives, I've impacted hundreds of thousands of adult learners through CAEL's programs while leading strategic partnerships that bridge academia and industry needs.  Most recently heading product and service strategy including AI integration frameworks and technology vendor partnerships. My expertise spans competency-based innovations, career pathway development, learning and employment records (LERs), and credit mobility solutions. Led teams delivering $9.5MM with 90%+ client satisfaction across 500+ partner organizations each year, including multi-city and multi-organization technology implementations.  Passionate about education innovation and transforming impact through technology and believe skills validation will reshape talent development. Always interested in connecting with edtech and workforce leaders, foundation program officers, and workforce development innovators.

Previously I could be found at CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) as the VP of Product and Service Strategy (among various role).  And prior to joining CAEL, Iwas the Assistant Director for Postsecondary Completion Initiatives for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).

 Links to Related Work :

Book Chapter: The Adult Learner: A Critical Ally for State Economic Development” in the Council of State Government’s Book of the States 2016 

Book Chapter: Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s 2018 Investing in America’s Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers

Report: Linking Public Workforce Systems and Community Colleges through Prior Learning Assessment: Learnings from a National Pilot Project (2018)

Guide/Resource: Recommended Standards in Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Policy and Practice for Tennessee Public Colleges and Universities (from 2012 while at THEC) The Four Stages of Building  an Effective and Inclusive  CPL Program And Why Building Internal Buy-in Is Stage 1 Investing in America’s Workforce Book Launch, Part 1 Delaware Credit for Prior Learning Policy Framework