CCUA is always proud to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of our learners who go above and beyond to earn multiple Credit Union Institute of Canada (CUIC) accreditations. Tyler Froebe of Manitoba Central is a three time CUIC graduate with accreditations in business lending, consumer and residential mortgage lending, and is a fellow of the institute. What an achievement!

We asked Tyler a few questions about his journey with CUIC, and here's what he had to say:

What did you enjoy most about your CUIC accreditation journey?

I found it insightful to learn alongside credit union professionals across the country, everyone with different experiences and working in different roles. Perspective brings value to learning for me.

Were there any courses, facilitators, or connections that helped shape your experience or career growth?

One that stands out personally was Dale Boisclair, who taught a number of retail lending courses that I participated in over the years. He was an excellent instructor who really brought the material to life and genuinely cared about engaging with students. I think he helped shape who I am as a lender and ultimately helped guide my journey to where I am today as a credit adjudicator.

What impact have these accreditations or credentials had on your career so far?

I've obtained my ACRML, ABL, FCUIC, and have just started the final course of my ACUIC designation.

I think my career has benefitted in a number of ways from my CUIC education. In a practical way, I completed most of my ACRML designation before applying for my first job as a personal lender. I believe that helped me not only get the job offer, but also hit the ground running with the foundational lending knowledge already in place.

Further, taking the FCUIC and ACUIC programs helped supplement my prior education and rounded out my skill set in the credit union and broader financial world.

Have there been any specific instances in which something you learned through CUIC training aided you with a member or colleague?

Absolutely - too many to count! Also, keeping the study guides as reference material has been super beneficial as my roles have evolved. CUIC does a great job at developing course material that's relevant to credit union professionals in Canada, so it's very relatable material that can be applied in real time to everyday work.

Has CUIC training strengthened your relationship to your community? If so, how?

Certainly. I have gained a better understanding of credit unions, caisses populaires, co-operatives, and their communities through the CUIC 201 - Credit Unions: Different by Design course.

What advice would you give to any future or current CUIC learners?

Take as many courses that interest you as you can, and fully commit to the material to get the most out of the course rather than just using it as a 'check-box' to get a piece of paper. One step further, do everything you can to have an impact on the educational journey of a co-worker or fellow CUIC student.

In what ways are you planning to continue to champion continuous learning in the sector?

I've always been a proponent of lifelong learning, and I think that looks different to everyone. For me, I champion continuous learning for "credit unioners" by sharing my knowledge and learning experiences and encouraging others to sharpen their skills through formal education and informal development opportunities, such as mentorship programs.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Whatever you'd like to get out of your credit union career, know that there is a wealth of support out there to help you get where you want to go. Reach out to your L&D department, your supervisor or manager, a mentor, and others in your organization who have taken courses to learn more. That said, you are ultimately in charge of your own development; you have to drive the bus. But don't be afraid to get the wheels turning; you never know where you'll end up!

Congratulations to Tyler on an incredible learning journey thus far! We are so excited to see what you do next.

Interested in learning about accreditations? Check our certification training page or reach out to clientsolutions@ccua.com for next steps.