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EDAC or IEDC: Economic Development Certification

T

thesalmon

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Hi everyone, particularly those in Canada, any sense of what economic development certification is better recognized and considered more rigorous -- that of EDAC or IEDC?
 
Although IEDC has "international" in the title it is basically an American organization with a small number of foreign participants. On the other hand, there are mew Canadians in IEDC than there are Americans in EDAC. Most of the larger Canadian cities are represented in IEDC. I do have my CEcD, but I earned it as a EcD under AEDC before the merger. You could also consider the IDFP from NDC.
 
I've been considering dropping my state/national memberships in APA and moving towards memberships in IEDC and and the state equivalent.

I feel like the economic development component, when combined with my graduate degree and experience in planning, will better round out my resume and serve me better in the future.

What are people's thoughts on someone who has been largely classified as a land use planner (albeit someone who has done ED work) pursuing the IEDC path? Perhaps just drop the national APA but still belong to the state chapter?

For the record, I am not AICP.
 
This may be a little off topic, but I really appreciate the statewide conferences and other events/training put on by my former state's APA. National on the other hand...

Is there a way to join the chapter but not national? I'll abstain from the magazine.
 
btrage said:
I've been considering dropping my state/national memberships in APA and moving towards memberships in IEDC and and the state equivalent.

I feel like the economic development component, when combined with my graduate degree and experience in planning, will better round out my resume and serve me better in the future.

What are people's thoughts on someone who has been largely classified as a land use planner (albeit someone who has done ED work) pursuing the IEDC path? Perhaps just drop the national APA but still belong to the state chapter?

For the record, I am not AICP.
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I am preparing now for the CEcD exam. You need to be able to show 5 years of direct economic development experience (not to say you cannot fluff your resume) to sit for the exam and take 6 BS classes. All in I have spent well over $10K to get the point where I can sit for the exam that has a 30% passing rate. Unless you want to be a director of a large EDC or community it is not necessary. I am not wild about taking it but it is an expecation of my organization that I pursue the designation. IMO the EDFP from NDC is the much better certification. You actually learn something by going to the classes. I am half way done with the EDFP and it is a much better use of time.

For economic development you can join the state organization and not join IEDC. IEDC charges based upon your cities population but anyone can be a member. How most people on this board feel about the APA is how I feel about IEDC except you guys get a better magazine and membership into a more professional organization. Why do you want to join IEDC?

Since executing economic development very local I find much more value in the state organizations. I know most of my peers around the state because of it which has proved helpful when I am working on a project I can call a peer who has done something similiar.
 
Brocktoon said:
I am preparing now for the CEcD exam. You need to be able to show 5 years of direct economic development experience (not to say you cannot fluff your resume) to sit for the exam and take 6 BS classes. All in I have spent well over $10K to get the point where I can sit for the exam that has a 30% passing rate. Unless you want to be a director of a large EDC or community it is not necessary. I am not wild about taking it but it is an expecation of my organization that I pursue the designation. IMO the EDFP from NDC is the much better certification. You actually learn something by going to the classes. I am half way done with the EDFP and it is a much better use of time.

For economic development you can join the state organization and not join IEDC. IEDC charges based upon your cities population but anyone can be a member. How most people on this board feel about the APA is how I feel about IEDC except you guys get a better magazine and membership into a more professional organization. Why do you want to join IEDC?

Since executing economic development very local I find much more value in the state organizations. I know most of my peers around the state because of it which has proved helpful when I am working on a project I can call a peer who has done something similiar.
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I suppose I'm more interested in the state ED organization, as oppose to IEDC.

I think I would find more value if I was aligned with the state ED organization and state APA chapter, as opposed to the APA national and the state APA chapter.
 
btrage said:
I suppose I'm more interested in the state ED organization, as oppose to IEDC.

I think I would find more value if I was aligned with the state ED organization and state APA chapter, as opposed to the APA national and the state APA chapter.
Click to expand...

MEDA was run well when I was in Michigan. The membership was reasonable and they did some decent training classes in Lansing a few times a year.

Also, if you want to learn more about ED take their basic course. I have the 2005 manual. PM me and I will send you a copy.
 
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