Education & Certification Partner (ECP)

The Education & Certification Partner (ECP) programme is a premier educational partnership established by the Business Development Association (BDA®) for approved training providers, academies, universities, business schools, and professional learning organisations.

The programme is designed for institutions seeking to deliver high-quality certification preparation pathways aligned with the BDA-CP® and BDA-SCP® certification programmes, while supporting learners through a structured competency-based learning ecosystem.

Unlike traditional training partnerships, ECP is specifically focused on professional certification preparation and competency development. It enables partners to prepare candidates using resources aligned with the BDA BoCK® (Body of Competency Knowledge) and supported through the official BDA Learning System.

Access to the BDA Learning System

A key benefit of the ECP programme is access to the official BDA Learning Platform, providing partners with a structured environment to support certification candidates and professional development learners.

The platform includes resources designed to help candidates prepare for BDA certifications through competency-based learning pathways aligned with recognised professional standards.

Platform Resources Include:

• Access to the BDA BoCK® framework
• Structured certification preparation pathways
• Competency-aligned learning modules
• Practice questions and preparation resources
• Professional development materials
• Learning resources supporting continuous capability development
• Ongoing updates aligned with BDA standards and frameworks

This enables ECP partners to deliver a consistent, scalable, and standards-aligned learning experience while focusing on learner engagement, facilitation, and professional development support.

Partnership Benefits

• Official ECP (Education & Certification Partner) designation
• Recognition as an approved BDA certification preparation partner
• Access to the official BDA Learning System
• Access to the BDA BoCK® competency framework
• Certification preparation pathways aligned with BDA certifications
• Practice questions and certification preparation resources
• Authorised use of ECP branding and designation
• Listing within the BDA Global Partner Directory
• Access to partner resources and programme updates
• Participation in the BDA professional learning ecosystem
• Enhanced institutional credibility through alignment with recognised professional certification pathways

Supported Certification Pathways

ECP partners may support learners preparing for:

• BDA-CP® (Certified Professional)
• BDA-SCP® (Senior Certified Professional)

Both certifications are based on the BDA BoCK® competency framework and assess professional capability through competency-based and scenario-driven evaluation approaches.

Ideal For

The ECP programme is suitable for:

• Professional training providers
• Learning and development organisations
• Executive education providers
• Universities and business schools
• Professional academies
• Continuing professional development providers
• Corporate learning institutions
• Workforce development organisations

Why Become an ECP Partner?

Professional certification is increasingly becoming an important component of workforce development and professional capability building.

Through the ECP programme, organisations gain access to recognised certification preparation resources, competency-based learning frameworks, and a structured learning ecosystem designed to support learner success.

The programme enables institutions to strengthen their professional development offerings while helping learners prepare for recognised business development certifications through a standards-based approach.

Supporting Professional Capability Development

ECP partners contribute to the development of competent business development professionals by providing structured learning, certification preparation, and access to recognised professional frameworks.

By combining institutional expertise with the BDA Learning System, the BDA BoCK®, and recognised certification pathways, ECP partners help learners build the knowledge, competencies, and professional capabilities required for success in modern business development environments.