What is the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)?

The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) — now known as the Association for Talent Development (ATD) — is an organisation established in 1943 with the mission of creating "the world that works better" through exceptional learning and performance. It operates in 100 countries with 130 local US chapters and 30 international chapters.

Key Roles

1. Knowledge Sharing Forum: The ASTD "brings experts of a similar field together so that they can share and develop ideas through conferences, workshops, and online services," fostering professional community and collaboration.

2. Learning Resource Platform: Provides comprehensive resources for professional development through centralised access to research, tools, and best practices in workplace learning.

3. Public Policy Influence: Plays a significant role in formulating public policies related to workforce development and advocates for the field to media, governments, and the broader public.

4. Professional Certification: Offers the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) programme — an important credential for workplace learning professionals that validates expertise in training design, delivery, and evaluation.

The organisation is dedicated to helping professionals advance their skills and knowledge in workplace settings, benefiting both individual career development and organisational performance outcomes.