# Core concepts

These distinctions prevent confusing LMS prep with the CMH hiring wedge.

## Courses vs coaching vs mentorship

| Concept | What it is | CMH proof? |
|---------|------------|------------|
| **Courses** | LMS content — modules, lessons, progress, assessments | **No** — completion does not verify a skill |
| **Mentorship** | Guidance / advice catalog (1:1 prep) | **No** — guidance, not the hiring bar |
| **Coaching** | Matched coach on a hiring track; live reviews, notes, attestation | **Yes** — central to **Coached**; feeds evidence |

Product line: *Courses = prep. Mentorship = guidance. Coaching + verified evidence = hiring wedge.*

## Certificates vs credentials

| | Course **certificate** | Skill **credential** |
|--|------------------------|----------------------|
| Public page | `/verify` | `/credentials/[code]` |
| API | `/api/v1/certificates` | `/api/v1/career/credentials…` |
| Meaning | Course completion | Skill verified with **WORK_SAMPLE + LIVE_REVIEW + ATTESTATION** |

Never treat `/verify` as CMH skill proof.

## CORPORATE vs EMPLOYER

| Role | Who | Job | Default home |
|------|-----|-----|--------------|
| **CORPORATE** | L&D / team buyer (**legacy LMS**) | Teams, course assignments, plans | `/dashboard` |
| **EMPLOYER** | Hiring company (**CMH**) | Talent search, pipeline, jobs, seat billing | `/dashboard/talent` |

CORPORATE buys training. EMPLOYER hires verified people. Employer seats are **manual invoice → admin mark paid** in MVP (not Stripe self-serve).

## Verified skill rule

A skill is verified only when the learner has all three evidence types on that skill. See [Product overview](/product/overview).

## Two payment worlds

| World | What | Provider |
|-------|------|----------|
| **Commerce** | Course, mentorship, coaching SKU purchases; instructor earnings | Stripe / Flutterwave |
| **Employer seats** | Talent search seats / intro credits | Manual invoice + admin mark paid |

See [Payments & payouts](/product/payments-payouts) and [Employer billing](/product/billing).