On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Jacob Shafka, Channel Manager at ASQ, led the ASQ Baltimore Section's monthly section meeting with an engaging blend of lecture and live demonstration of ASQ's educational platform. I walked away with three clear takeaways from a session that delivered quality content with genuine passion and real-world relevance.
1. ASQ Leads in Professional Development — and Accreditation Is the Reason Why
ASQ's strength in professional development stems not only from its vast network of members and clients, but from a critical differentiator: accreditation. In a world where content is generated at exponential speed, vetted and reliable content matters more than ever. ASQ's trainings are IACET-accredited, which means continuing education credits earned through ASQ are transferable to other professional certifications — such as the CPA or PMP. That kind of cross-credentialing portability is increasingly rare and valuable, and it's a direct result of the standardization that accreditation provides.
2. Lean Six Sigma and Root Cause Analysis Are Seeing a Resurgence — Powered by AI
ASQ's largest area of educational growth right now is in Lean Six Sigma and Root Cause Analysis — two disciplines where ASQ already holds a leadership position. What makes this even more compelling is the format flexibility: ASQ delivers both asynchronous and real-time training, customized to the audience. Jacob gave the example of ASQ's customized training for not merely the analysts applying root cause, but the organization's auditors- customized to their unique audience's needs.
And Lean Six Sigma's resurgence is no accident. Where many assumed AI would render these frameworks obsolete, the opposite has proven true: LSS's structured methodologies, ways of working, and tools make AI-assisted delivery more accessible and relevant than ever.
3. ASQ Continues to Build for Emerging and Unmet Needs
ASQ isn't resting on its existing catalog. Jacob highlighted several new content directions in response to genuine industry demand — including a potential healthcare certification addressing the sector's need for applicable, real-world use cases, and a data quality specialized micro-credential designed for the growing importance of data integrity across industries. These additions signal that ASQ is listening to where professionals need support and moving to meet them there.
Jacob ended with a walk-through/demo of the ASQ learning platform (incl. bodies of [requisite] knowledge for certifications). ASQ has built several tools to guide your professional development journey. Check it out here: https://asq.org/training/catalog. And - if you want to apply to add your expertise as a subject matter expert, consider applying for their 5-step process: https://asq.org/asqconnex/become-an-expert.
Big thanks to the service and leadership of Lydia Berry for recruiting Jacob to our program!