Your Questions About the All-Access Training Pass, Answered

Since the Cascade All-Access Training Pass launched, members have been asking good questions. How does it work? Who should get one? Is it the right fit for our organization?

The idea is simple: one designated employee gets unlimited access to Cascade's live virtual public training programs for one flat annual fee. But knowing whether the pass makes sense for your organization comes down to the details. Here are some of the questions we're hearing from members.

Prefer the quick overview?

Watch the overview, then keep reading for answers to the questions we're hearing from members.

“Is it worth $1,599?”

It depends on how much training this person would take without the pass. For someone who plans to participate in several Cascade programs throughout the year, the value can add up quickly.

Consider a newly promoted supervisor. Basics of Supervision plus the Conflict, Coaching, and Accountability series brings the total to $1,210 before they've taken anything else. Add a few classes during the rest of the year, and the cost of individual registration reaches $1,720.

At that point, the pass has already cost less than purchasing those programs individually. And there is still plenty of the year left to use it.

For an experienced leader, the value can look different. The pass can provide opportunities to sharpen existing skills, explore new topics, and choose training based on the challenges that arise throughout the year.

The financial value matters, but so does having the flexibility to keep learning without making a new registration decision every time.

“Why is it tied to one person? Can we share it?”

Each pass is assigned to a named individual, so it stays with that person rather than moving between colleagues.

That structure is intentional. One person following a development path across a full year can build on what they learned in previous programs, apply it on the job, and choose additional training based on what they need next.

Think of it less as a collection of individual classes and more as a year of professional development for one person. The practical takeaway is to be thoughtful about who receives the pass. If more than one person on your team is a good fit, each pass is purchased separately so it can be assigned to the right person.

If you're purchasing a pass for someone other than yourself, contact the Cascade training team at training@cascadeemployers.com, and we'll make sure everything is set up correctly.

“Who should get one?”

The best candidate isn't necessarily the person who needs the most training. It's the person who will make good use of a year of learning.

The pass may be a good fit for:

• A new supervisor who was promoted because they were great at the work and is now building the skills needed to lead people.
• An established leader who wants to strengthen existing skills, explore new areas of leadership, or continue developing professionally.
• An HR professional who needs both ongoing compliance education and opportunities to build broader HR and leadership skills.
• An emerging leader you're preparing for greater responsibility.

It's also a natural fit for organizations that regularly enroll employees in Cascade training, want more predictable annual training costs, and value live instruction from people who understand the Pacific Northwest workplace.

“What if we don't use it enough?”

It's a fair question. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, and unused training opportunities don't carry over to the next term.

A little planning can go a long way.

When the pass is purchased, sit down with the pass holder and the Cascade training calendar and identify programs that align with their role, development goals, and areas where they want to grow. Put those dates on the calendar the way you would any other professional development commitment.

For example, a supervisor might start with Basics of Supervision, add a coaching or accountability course, attend the Annual Compliance Update, and then choose additional sessions based on challenges that arise throughout the year.

Treating the pass as a development plan rather than a someday option is what turns a flat fee into a year of real growth.

“We're stretched thin. Is live training realistic?”

Every program included in the pass is live and virtual, so there is no travel and no additional time away for commuting.

But the value of live training goes beyond convenience. Participants can ask questions in real time, hear how other professionals are approaching similar challenges, and explore how a concept applies to their own situation.

That interaction is particularly useful when the topic isn't simply something to know, but something to put into practice.

“What exactly is included?”

The pass includes Cascade's live virtual public training programs, giving one person access to a broad range of learning throughout their 12-month term.

The pass includes:

• Live virtual leadership and compliance courses
• The full two-day Basics of Supervision program
• HR Academy Fundamentals and Professional certificate enrollment
• Leadership Academy Certificate and Leadership Professional Certificate enrollment
• Multi-session training series
• Annual Compliance Update (Oregon and Washington)
• Eligible courses that offer SHRM and HRCI recertification credits

A few offerings fall outside the pass and are available separately, including private onsite or virtual training, special ticketed events, conferences, partner delivered programs, and on-demand training.

The pass also allows the designated employee to enroll in the included HR Academy and Leadership Academy courses as part of their professional development throughout the year.

“What else should we know?”

A few details are worth having on your radar.

The pass is available exclusively to Cascade members, and your organization's membership needs to remain active throughout the 12-month term. If membership lapses, pass access pauses until membership is reinstated.

If you choose automatic renewal, the pass renews at the end of each 12-month term, and you'll receive advance notice beforehand, so you have time to review or make changes.

Once the pass is active, you'll receive instructions for registering for courses.

Is the All-Access Training Pass right for your organization?

The All-Access Training Pass isn't designed to replace thoughtful decisions about employee development. It's designed to make those decisions easier once you've identified the person who will benefit from a year of learning.

Instead of deciding course by course, you can give one person the flexibility to learn throughout the year, build on what they've learned, and choose additional training as their role and development needs evolve.

If someone on your team came to mind while you were reading, explore the All-Access Training Pass and consider what a year of learning could look like for them.

Want to understand the thinking behind the pass? Read Why Smart Employers Are Rethinking How They Invest in Training.

Still weighing whether it's the right fit? Contact the Cascade training team at training@cascadeemployers.com. We're happy to help you think through the options.