Time is probably the most valuable resource for working professionals seeking to advance their careers through certification and credentialing programs. That’s why Holmes Corporation (HC) is leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to revolutionize how professionals learn—making certification preparation more efficient, personalized, and effective than ever before.
Transforming Data into Personalized Learning
Over the past 50 years, HC has accumulated vast amounts of training content, performance data, and customer insights from working with professional associations, colleges, universities, global training providers, and credential candidates.
We recognized a significant opportunity: Our learners are busy professionals with diverse job functions and varying levels of education and career seniority. The time they can allocate to professional development is limited, so delivering training solutions that target their specific knowledge gaps is critical to their success.
To help improve the efficiency of learning, HC partnered with Solution Design Group (SDG), a Minneapolis-based team of collaborators and creators who specialize in accelerating growth through strategy, product, and technology. With SDG, we explored how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) could help us better utilize our data to create more personalized learning experiences.
Our journey began by consolidating our data sources into data lakes—a critical step that normalized data from varying sources into clean, centralized, model-ready datasets.
With this foundation in place, we implemented several key innovations:
- Personalized Learning Pathways: Using ML clustering techniques, we identified and developed common learner pathways based on learner profile data and interactions to create a more personalized user experience.
- Optimal Study Path Analysis: We employed machine learning models to create the optimal study path for different student personas.
- Real-Time Adaptive Recommendations: Perhaps most importantly, we deployed an AI model that helps advise each student on exactly where to focus their study time by providing real-time recommendations based on their most recent study results.
Measurable Results for Learners
These innovations helped us develop a “My Study Plan” solution that ensures each student receives a personalized educational path that meets their unique learning needs while making the most efficient use of their time. The results have been remarkable:
- 35% reduction in required study time for learners by focusing specifically on knowledge gaps
- Improved certification exam performance across our programs
- Enhanced user experience with more relevant, targeted learning materials
“These technological enhancements have transformed how professionals prepare for certification exams,” explains Elizabeth Moore, VP of Product Development at HC. “By focusing learners specifically on their knowledge gaps, we’re not just helping them pass exams—we’re respecting their time and making professional advancement more accessible.”
Setting New Standards in Professional Education
As the professional education landscape continues to evolve, HC remains at the forefront of innovation. By combining our deep understanding of professional credentialing with cutting-edge AI and ML technologies, we’re setting new standards in adaptive learning driven by personal choice.
The future of professional education isn’t just about content—it’s about delivering the right content to the right learner at the right time in the right way. Through our technology-driven approach, we’re empowering professionals worldwide to achieve their career goals with precision and confidence.
