Cooperative Education Launches AI Readiness Curriculum to Help Credit Unions Build Practical AI Skills and Drive Responsible Innovation

Marlborough, MA – The Cooperative Credit Union Association (CCUA), through its Cooperative Education division, has launched the AI Readiness Curriculum, a comprehensive training program designed to help credit union professionals confidently adopt, evaluate, and apply artificial intelligence across their organizations. Developed in collaboration with Stickball, the curriculum equips staff with practical AI knowledge, responsible governance principles, and hands-on tools to identify and implement meaningful AI opportunities. 

Unlike introductory AI courses that focus solely on awareness, the AI Readiness Curriculum is built as a progressive learning journey that develops real organizational competency. Participants move from understanding AI fundamentals to evaluating opportunities, analyzing business challenges, working with AI agents, and leading responsible AI adoption within their credit union. The program is structured to empower organizations at every stage of their AI journey while ensuring employees understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with emerging technologies. 

The curriculum features four progressive learning modules:

• Understand: Learn AI fundamentals, communication strategies, data analysis, and practical use cases. 
• Navigate: Apply a six-step AI Case Method to evaluate and solve business challenges. 
• Accelerate: Identify AI opportunities, explore AI agents, leverage tools and integrations, and create measurable organizational value. 
• Lead: Build responsible AI practices and governance tailored to each credit union, supported by customized organizational content. 

In addition to the curriculum, participants in the Premium program receive exclusive AI-powered tools that help analyze business opportunities, prioritize initiatives, and support problem-solving efforts within their organizations. 

"Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration—it is becoming an essential business capability," said Aimee Morin, Vice President of Education & Operations at the CCUA. "Supporting our member credit unions with timely, practical education is at the heart of what we do at CCUA. This curriculum gives credit union professionals the knowledge and confidence to responsibly apply AI in their organizations, and our partnership with Stickball allowed us to build a program tailored specifically to the needs of the industry."

Stickball, a global AI education and consulting firm, partnered with Cooperative Education to develop the curriculum's learning framework and practical application methodology. Together, the organizations created a program that emphasizes real-world implementation, ethical AI use, and measurable business outcomes for credit unions.

Early participants have already recognized the value of the program.

"The program is a progressive learning journey designed specifically for credit union staff, building practical AI skills from the fundamentals to advanced applications. The goal is to create real AI competence across the organization, not just awareness," said Matthew J. Haines, Chief Operating Officer, Bellwether Community Credit Union. 

The AI Readiness Curriculum is available through Cooperative Education in both Foundation and Premium learning paths. The Foundation program includes the first three learning modules for all users, while the Premium offering adds leadership-focused content, customized organizational training, and exclusive AI tools. 

For more information about the AI Readiness Curriculum or to register, visit: https://www.ccua.org/ai-readiness-curriculum.

Media Contact

Janelle Mullen
Vice President of Member Engagement
Email: jmullen@ccua.org