The goals of a needs assessment are threefold: first, discover the present thinking about co-op specific education and training of members, employees, managers and directors. Second, discover if there is a gap in terms of what is being offered and what the target audience needs. Third, depending on the answer, what could fill the gap?

Clearly from the research with managers, directors, employees, and members, there is a need and interest in and for co-op specific education and training, and the current educational opportunities are not well known and are not filling the need. There is room for focussing and redefining educational opportunities. The main findings from the research are:

1. There is no silver bullet for co‐op specific education. There also is no one program, institution or course(s) that serves all.

2. All audiences are savvy consumers regarding education opportunities and want co‐op specific education or training to be current, relevant and accessible.

3. They want to be inspired by the co‐operative values, best practices and gain practical knowledge and skills. They are looking to co‐op specific education to be a change agent that supports action, update and change.

4. The relevance of co‐operative education and training still needs to be demonstrated. Participants show interest and think co‐operative education and training could help their career and their co‐operative, but do not necessarily feel they need co‐op specific education and training to solve situations in their workplace.

5. The university as a venue is not the premier place for co‐op specific education and training, even virtually. Participants want in‐house/co‐op sector education or training by seasoned, knowledgeable content experts with co‐op experience and adult education facilitation skills.