MBA’s David Upbin Breaks Down Changes to Education Advantage for Commercial Members

MBA NewsLink talked to David Upbin, Mortgage Bankers Association Vice President, Education and Strategy, about the changes to MBA’s Education Advantage for commercial members, and how companies can benefit from the offerings.

MBA NewsLink: What is the Education Advantage for Commercial members?

David Upbin: Education Advantage allows MBA member companies to pay one annual price for the training programs they need. With over 450 classes offered each year, companies who subscribe to Education Advantage and their employees don’t have to worry about budget approval for each offering throughout the year. With three levels (Plus, Pro, and Premium), companies can pay for only what they need and the more training programs employees enroll in, the more the company saves.

MBA NewsLink: What exactly is changing?

David Upbin: Commercial Real Estate Basics (CRE Basics) is a series of eight live, instructor-led online courses that addresses a key concept related to various aspects of CREF, with the first course laying the groundwork for the industry. Courses are offered throughout the year and are priced at around $350 per enrollment. Education Advantage Pro and Premium subscribers used to receive two complimentary enrollments to each CRE Basics offering, but we have now made the change that Pro and Premium subscribers get unlimited enrollments to each offering. If subscribing companies enroll just four students into every offering in a calendar year, that’s nearly $17,000 worth of training and professional development.

MBA NewsLink: And why is it changing?

David Upbin: MBA knows that market conditions have been challenging for many companies the past two years. We want to make sure your organization can continue investing in your employees and helping your people succeed.

MBA NewsLink: What types of benefits does Education Advantage offer to companies?

David Upbin: Subscribers to Education Advantage Plus get unlimited access to our library of self-paced courses; Education Advantage Pro subscribers get access to self-paced courses and the CRE Basics courses; Education Advantage Premium adds in our certification and designation programs and School of Multifamily Mortgage Banking and School of Multifamily Property Inspections.

MBA NewsLink: Can Education Advantage be a fit for any work environment (in-person, hybrid, remote, etc…)?

David Upbin: School of Multifamily Property Inspections is offered both virtually and in-person, and Education Advantage Subscribers get two complimentary seats to each class regardless of format.

MBA NewsLink: How does a company get more information?

David Upbin: Please feel free to reach out to Kathy Ryan at Kryan@mba.org or click here to learn more.