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10 Reasons Why Further Education Makes Sense At Any Age

There’s no denying that the digital age has created a raft of employment opportunities in the job market. However, it has also meant that many people have found their existing roles have evolved, with some requiring expertise in new technologies and technology systems.

As you can imagine, it makes sense to have formal training and qualifications for many job roles these days.

One of the best pathways into a well-paid role is by having further education, either in the form of online master programs with degree qualifications, or certification in specialist and niche areas.

Did you know that there are many other reasons why it’s a good idea to have a further education, and why it makes sense to do so whether you’ve just left high school or have done so a long time ago?

Take a look at the following ten examples to see why you’re making the right decision by boosting your education:

1. You’ll Be Less Likely To Become Unemployed

One of the most significant worries that anyone will likely have is becoming unemployed. As you can imagine, having no job means you’ll find it challenging to lead a normal lifestyle, and you’d have to assume that the government can provide you with financial assistance.

Therefore, it makes better sense to be in stable employment, and one way you can almost guarantee that outcome is by investing in yourself with some further education such as a degree qualification or industry-specific certification.

2. You’ll Earn A Higher Salary

Who doesn’t want to earn lots of money? As you can appreciate, the more money you earn, the less you have to worry about things like paying your monthly household expenses and covering any emergency costs or repairs.

The trouble with leaving high school without considering any further education is you significantly diminish your chances of earning lots of money in your career.

Almost all well-paid roles advertised on the jobs market require candidates to have some formal industry training or a college education with qualifications in specific fields.

3. You’ll Feel More Confident In Yourself

One interesting point to keep in mind about further education is that you’ll feel more confident in yourself.

If you’ve got a college education or even industry certification from a vocational institution, you’ll have proved to yourself that you’re capable of achieving anything in your life.

That’s why many people who gain their first qualification or industry certification go on to pursue other further education opportunities. It’s something you could also do.

4. Competition With Other Job Applicants Is Lower

It doesn’t matter whether a commonly-available unskilled job gets advertised or a role requiring specialist skills and qualifications. There will always be people applying for all roles advertised on the job market.

The trouble is, competition can sometimes be fierce for some jobs, and employers will understandably only shortlist candidates with resumes that stand out from the crowd.

You can make yourself stand out from other applicants by pursuing a further education and having one or more qualifications and certifications.

5. You’ll Find Yourself Getting Headhunted

Imagine if you seldom had to apply for jobs because you kept getting offered them by companies looking for top talent like you? It might appear to be a dream, but it’s a reality for many people that have pursued further education – either after high school or later in life.

You’ll find that hiring managers and even CEOs from top businesses approach you because they want talent like you as part of their teams!

6. You’ll Increase Your Transferable Skills

As you know, it’s always a good idea to have a skill set that you can use in various roles and industries. Unfortunately, that won’t always be possible – at least not in-depth – if you don’t have any further education.

College degrees, industry certifications, and more will help you increase the skills that you can transfer to roles in other niches and industries – a must in today’s highly competitive job market .

7. You’ll Better Compete In Global Job Markets

It’s no secret that many people have aspirations to travel the world, take in new cultures and sights, and generally learn more about other nations. For many people, traveling the world involves saving money to go on a vacation each year.

But, what if you could travel the world as part of your work? Having a further education means you can be a viable choice for employers looking for skilled and reliable talent to grow their brands in overseas markets.

8. You’ll Learn More About Your Preferred Industry

Another reason to gain a college degree or industry certification is that you will have greater exposure to various roles within your niche, but that’s not all!

You’ll also learn more about your preferred industry, such as discovering how other industry processes interact with your role.

For example, if you have a job as an automotive engineer, you could learn about mechanical engine technology, body panel molding, robotic vehicle paint spraying , and more.

9. You’ll Feel Motivated To Expand Your Skills Set

If you have a thirst for knowledge, completing your first college degree or industry certification course will satisfy that thirst for a while. But, the fact you’ve decided to further your education and skill set means you’ll want to keep doing so.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that you will want to pursue other educational opportunities and highlight those qualifications and certifications on your resume. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new!

10. You Feel A Massive Sense Of Achievement

Last but not least, it makes no difference whether you’re fresh out of high school or have several decades of commercial experience. You will always feel a massive sense of achievement when you pursue further education opportunities.

In some ways you may even feel like your life has a new meaning or purpose because you’ve equipped yourself with the tools to follow your career ambitions – even if they seemed impossible to achieve before you completed your first degree or certification course!

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6 Reasons Why Continuing Education Is Important

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What is continuing education?

Continuing education generally refers to any post-secondary learning or programs that adults pursue after formal education. This can vary from seminars or one-time classes to online courses and entire degree programs.

Some professions require continuing education in a variety of ways. Some of these requirements come in the form of yearly classes or tests to keep you up on changes in your industry.

Other professions require continuing education in the form of advanced degrees , which prepare you for new responsibilities and opportunities.

Still other professions require attendance at conferences or lectures to help employees learn from other experts in their field.

Successful business men and women, from Warren Buffett to Oprah, are huge advocates of continuing education. Barack Obama has spoken often about reading for his own learning for at least an hour a day during his time in the White House.

But can continuing education actually benefit you? Find out why it’s a good idea for you to pursue continuing education and how you can get started.

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Why is continuing education important?

1. Increases your chances for promotion.

Many times, employers find your pursuit of continuing education a great reason to give you a promotion. They recognize you’ve invested time and sometimes money into improving yourself and want to reward that. Your new education also makes you more qualified for advanced work and an ideal candidate for promotions.

Employers also sometimes have positions within a company that have an advanced degree as a basic requirement. Getting that advanced degree could be the factor in being picked for a promotion.

Similarly, when placed side-by-side with another candidate for a promotion, you will stand out to and impress a hiring manager if you have more education. Education qualifies you to handle more tasks and responsibilities and may have even given you specific knowledge in how to do a job better.

If you’re hoping to get a promotion, an advanced degree or other continuing education pathway could be the key to help you get there. From giving you skills and abilities, to showing your employer how dedicated you are to improving yourself, there are many reasons why your continuing education plan can help you get a promotion.

2. Increases your salary.

Continuing education often leads to a raise or a higher starting salary at a new position. Whether you will be offered a raise or promotion in your current job or will qualify for a new job that has a better salary, continuing education will have a major benefit for your income.

On average, a college degree holder will earn twice as much as someone who doesn’t have a degree. This form of continuing education often requires you to invest in yourself, but the payout at the end is usually well worth it.

WGU students are no exception. On average, WGU graduates increase their pre-enrollment income by $12,600 within two years of graduation and by $18,400 within four years. This is far higher than the national average of $12,400 after four years.

Associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees can bring these income benefits to employees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced education of every kind increases your income by thousands of dollars a year.

If you’re hoping to get a raise or move to a career with better pay, continuing education may be the way to go.

3. Increases your ability to make a career transition.

If you’re ready to move into a new career field, often the first step will be gaining education that qualifies you for that new path.

From nurses to teachers to accountants, many professions have strict requirements for licensure or degrees in order to qualify. Obtaining this education will make you prepared to move into a new career.

Many professions require continuing education because they have specific training that is crucial to your success. Without this education, there’s no way for you to qualify for or succeed in a position.

Learning new skills through continuing education is key to being prepared for a career transition.

4. Improves your image and marketability.

Continuing education is a valuable element to your résumé. For many jobs it is a direct qualification requirement to have a certain amount of education, but even if you meet the minimum qualifications, additional education will make you stand out.

Consider if you’re one of several candidates up for a job. If you have additional education, you will obviously be looked at more closely.

You will stand out not only because of your additional qualifications, but employers will recognize that you have the determination to take on a challenge—and succeed.

Employers will also recognize that you have new insights on the most current trends and skills in your industry, as well as having additional technology experience because of your time spent learning something new.

Overall, your image will increase, as will your job marketability, if you pursue continuing education.

5. Improves your lifestyle.

If you’re not satisfied with your current lifestyle, continuing education could be the answer to your problems.

Want to make more money? Want to switch your job? Want to feel more fulfilled? Need new skills? Continuing education can help you accomplish all these goals.

As you spend time devoted to learning, the outcomes are positive for your career and your overall lifestyle. Improving your career often trickles down to the rest of your life because you’re more satisfied with your job, make more money, etc.

Don’t wait to change your life, start your continuing education path now and get ready for the lifestyle you have wanted.

6. Increases personal development.

Even if you’re completely satisfied with your job and lifestyle, that doesn’t mean continuing education isn’t for you.

Experts agree that learning should be a lifelong process, and devoting time to continuing education can be a journey of personal development.

Whether you want to learn more about a subject that you find interesting or want some additional skills to take to your work, there are ways you can use continuing education to your advantage.

Even if your pursuit of education is purely for personal reasons, you can truly take advantage of advanced learning on your path to become a better person.

How do I get involved with continuing education?

So now you’re convinced that continuing education is a good path for you, what’s the next step?

There are many options for how you can pursue continuing education.

Ask within your office if there are courses or seminars specific for your company that you could take or that are recommended.

You can talk to colleagues, friends, and family about what they have done to pursue continuing education and determine if something similar is right for you.

Or, you can research places like WGU and learn how a degree could help you reach your goals.

With bachelor’s and master’s degree offerings you’re likely to find a program that meets your needs here.

Now is the time to get started on a new journey that will change your life.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

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Why Further Education is Important for Career Advancement and Personal Growth

Table of Contents

Once you finish school, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Do you get a job or go into further education? Both can be extremely beneficial, however, in this article, we go into the details of what further education is important and how continuing education can be important for the future.

Why Further Education is Important

Further education represents a significant investment in your personal and economic future, offering the necessary skills and qualifications to thrive in a competitive job market.

Economic Benefits

Further education can lead to higher lifetime earnings for you. By pursuing vocational education or obtaining formal qualifications, you position yourself well for career advancement and financial stability. Listed below are specific economic advantages of further education:

• Higher Earnings : With advanced skills, you're likely to qualify for better-paid positions.
• Employment Opportunities : Further education often leads to improved employability, giving you access to a wider range of job openings.
• Investment in the Future : Skills acquired through learning are an investment that enables you to adapt to the rapidly changing economic landscape.

Personal Development and Lifelong Learning

Your journey through further education is not just about economic outcomes; it's also a key driver for personal growth and social mobility. Lifelong learning nurtures a robust personal development path that shapes you into a well-rounded individual. Here are some ways further education contributes to personal development:

• Improved Quality of Life : Learning new skills can boost your self-esteem and has been associated with enhanced wellbeing.
• Lifelong Learning : Engaging in further education at any stage of life promotes the practice of lifelong learning, encouraging you to remain intellectually active and curious.
• Social Mobility : By gaining new qualifications, you increase your ability to rise to higher socio-economic levels.

Remember, further education is not just a stepping stone but a continual path that equips you with the tools to navigate both the professional realm and personal arenas more effectively.

Educational Pathways

Choosing the right educational pathway can significantly influence your career trajectory and your professional development. The options vary, catering to different preferences and learning styles.

Academic Qualifications

In the realm of academic qualifications , you are likely familiar with A Levels and their role as a traditional route into university . Achieving these qualifications can be a critical step towards obtaining a degree in higher education. Universities in the UK offer a range of degree programmes that span across various fields, equipping you with deep theoretical knowledge and a platform for research-intensive careers.

• A Levels : Typically required for university entry.
• Universities : Provide Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees.

Vocational and Technical Paths

Should your interests lean more towards practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, vocational and technical paths might be more suitable. Vocational qualifications such as BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council), HNC (Higher National Certificate), and HND (Higher National Diploma) are designed to provide you with job-ready skills in vocational subjects.

• BTEC : Provides practical, career-specific skills.
• HNC/HND : Levels 4 and 5 vocational qualifications, often equivalent to the first and second year of university, respectively.

Apprenticeships and Work-based Learning

For a more hands-on approach, apprenticeships and work-based learning offer the opportunity to earn while you learn. Apprenticeships can span from intermediate levels to degree-level programmes, including the new T Levels, which are technical qualifications designed to offer a mixture of classroom learning and 'on-the-job' experience.

• Apprenticeships : Gain industry skills and qualifications simultaneously.
• T Levels : A 2-year programme that is equivalent to 3 A Levels, combining classroom and on-the-job learning.

Impact on Employment

Investing in further education bolsters your employability through skill enhancement, opens avenues for career progression, and ensures adherence to evolving industry standards.

Skill Development

Your engagement in apprenticeships or vocational courses results in vital skill development . By undergoing training, you acquire a tailored set of abilities that align with specific industry needs. Vocational education, in particular, equips you with practical skills that are immediately transferable to the workplace, fostering your independence and making you a valuable asset to employers.

Career Advancement

Further education, such as university degrees, advanced vocational training, and professional qualifications, creates opportunities for career advancement . As you climb the educational ladder, you position yourself for a wider range of job prospects and higher levels of responsibility. Providers of further education often collaborate with industries to design courses that not only meet current standards but also prepare learners for future roles, aiding in seamless career progression.

Industry Standards

In today's diverse and ever-changing job market, staying abreast of industry standards is crucial. Further education helps you to meet and exceed these standards, whether through university modules focussed on contemporary practices or through apprenticeships that blend learning with on-the-job experience. By meeting these benchmarks, you confirm to potential employers your capability to perform at the expected level.

Through targeted training and educational endeavours, you can ensure that your skillset, knowledge base, and qualifications not only meet the current employment criteria but also prepare you for the demands of tomorrow's job market.

Further Education Institutions

Further education institutions offer a broad spectrum of courses and qualifications tailored to fit your career aspirations and personal development goals. From academic courses to vocational training, these institutions serve as your stepping stones into higher education or professional life.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges in the UK offer a diverse range of educational programmes, including A-levels , vocational qualifications like BTECs , and post-secondary qualifications such as Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) . While sixth-form colleges specialise in academic courses typically for students aged 16-19, FE colleges provide learning opportunities for a wide age range, giving you the chance to upskill at any stage of life.

Universities , on the other hand, predominantly focus on academic degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Some universities offer Foundation Degrees , which are equivalent to two-thirds of an honours degree and can often be topped up to a full degree with additional study.

Specialist and Technical Colleges

Specialist colleges provide targeted training in specific industries, aligning with the UK's skills demands. These may include areas such as agriculture, creative arts, or maritime studies. The courses are designed to deliver hands-on experience and are often in partnership with employers, ensuring your education has direct relevance to the job market.

Technical colleges equip you with practical skills and technical knowledge necessary for specialist occupations. By focusing on apprenticeships and technical qualifications, these institutions play a crucial role in the UK's strategy to enhance vocational training and address skill shortages across various sectors.

Quality and Standards of Education

Your understanding of the quality and standards in further education should encompass comprehensive curricular developments and robust assessment and regulation measures. These are imperative for ensuring that the education you receive adequately prepares you for professional and personal success.

Curricular Developments

Your curriculum is the backbone of your educational experience. Institutional oversight bodies such as Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) play a pivotal role in maintaining the quality of your curriculum. They ensure that 80% of educational providers offer good or outstanding quality by scrutinising teaching methodologies and educational materials.

• Innovation in Teaching : You benefit from innovative teaching strategies that keep pace with current industry expectations.
• Relevance of Course Content : The curriculum stays relevant to both your professional aspirations and the evolving job market.

Assessment and Regulation

Assessments you undertake should be both rigorous and fair, testing the necessary competencies and knowledge needed in your field. Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) regulates qualifications, exams, and assessments in England to ensure that the standards are met. Here's how quality is ensured:

• Standardisation : Ofqual monitors and reviews standards across various examination boards to maintain uniformity.
• Regulation Compliance : Educators and institutions are required to adhere strictly to the regulatory framework laid down by the authorities like Ofsted and Ofqual.
• Continuous Improvement : Feedback from assessments contributes to continuous improvement in teaching and learning practices.

Remember, these systems are in place for your benefit and to provide you with the highest standard of education possible.

Support and Funding for Learning

Your journey in further education (FE) is significantly influenced by the financial support and resources available to you. Understanding how government investment and community support can affect your learning will better equip you to take advantage of these provisions.

Government Investment

The UK government recognises the pivotal role of further education in driving economic growth and personal development. Funding by the Department for Education is allocated to further education and skills providers to ensure students receive quality education. Notably:

• In the 2022-23 academic year, per-student funding in FE was around £6,800 , subject to annual review and changes.
• Financial mechanisms such as the Department for Education’s tuition fund support educational recovery and enable targeted assistance.
• Specific grants and loans may be available to aid with costs like childcare , which enables you to engage in learning without additional personal stressors.

Community and Local Support

At the local level, your community and local government can offer support that compliments national funding:

• Community learning initiatives may provide additional educational resources tailored to local needs and demographics.
• Local Government and FE institutions often collaborate providing bursaries or subsidies for transport or other course-related expenses, making education more accessible.

Remember, the availability of these supports can vary based on where you live in the UK, so contacting your local council or FE provider will give you the most relevant information.

Development of Key Competencies

In further education, developing key competencies is essential to enhance your employability and facilitate personal growth. These competencies include a range of skills that support lifelong learning and adaptability in a dynamic world.

Literacy and Numeracy

Literacy and numeracy are foundational skills vital for success in almost any field. As part of your further education, you'll reinforce and expand upon these core areas:

• English : Strengthening your command of the English language through advanced reading, writing, and critical analysis skills.
• Mathematics : Building on mathematical principles to tackle complex problems with logical reasoning and precision.

These skills often coincide with GCSE standards, ensuring that you possess a solid foundation in English and mathematics, which are indispensable in both academic and practical contexts.

Health and Social Education

Within further education, health and social education focuses on two main areas:

• Safeguarding : Understanding the importance of protecting individuals' well-being, particularly in health and social care environments.
• Interaction : Effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential in any sector, but particularly in health and social care—fields that rely on the ability to navigate sensitive situations with tact and understanding.

You'll receive advice and guidance to apply these competencies in real-world settings, aligning your academic knowledge with practical applications. This aspect of your education is critical for professional development and personal enrichment.

The Role of Further Education in Social Dynamics

Further education (FE) positions itself as a significant contributor in shaping the complex social fabric of societies by enabling access to learning opportunities that go beyond traditional academic pathways. It plays a pivotal role in empowering individuals and fostering a more inclusive society.

Promoting Social Inclusion

Vocational Education: You often see vocational education as a pathway which bridges the gap between the needs of the labour market and those seeking employment. This form of education tends to be more accessible and can be tailored to the needs of diverse communities, encouraging social mobility by providing tangible skills relevant to your current economic landscape.

• Reskilling Opportunities: With vocational training, you gain the chance to reskill in various sectors. This flexibility is crucial in an economy where industries are continuously evolving, thus fostering social mobility.

Education and Community Interplay

Adult and Community Learning: FE provides a lifeline for adults looking to enhance their learning or pivot to new career paths. It's not merely about formal education; FE includes a spectrum of adult and community learning programs that knit together the threads of learning and community engagement. By participating in these programs, you bolster your self-esteem and become more involved in your local community.

• Impact on Community: FE learning centres often become focal points in promoting community cohesion by offering educational programmes that address specific local needs, consequently making better use of your spare time and providing you with a greater sense of community involvement.

Leveraging Further Education for Personal Growth

Further education equips you with more than just academic qualifications. It fosters lifelong learning, enhances your independence, and allows you to maximise your spare time effectively.

Independence through Learning

Your journey into further education is a powerful step towards independence . By engaging in self-directed studies, you develop critical thinking skills and a sense of freedom to make informed choices about your career and personal life. You'll find that the more you learn, the more capable you become at navigating complex challenges, leading to a profound sense of self-reliance.

Maximising Spare Time for Education

Using your spare time for education serves dual purposes. First, it enables you to focus on areas of personal and professional interest without compromising your current obligations. Secondly, it transforms your free time into a productive resource for personal development. Whether it’s short courses, online learning, or workshops, further education offers the flexibility to enhance your skills and knowledge at your own pace.

It's through these educational experiences that you potentially broaden your social interactions , directly contributing to well-rounded growth.

Useful Resources

If you’re considering working in further education, here are some resources that may be useful:

• Explore the benefits of working in the further education sector in our article, Why Work in Further Education .
• Discover key strategies for career progression in our guide, Career Advancement in Further Education: How to Stand Out .
• Learn how to craft an effective cover letter for education roles with How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job in Further Education .
• Enhance your personal brand in the education sector by reading our tips on Crafting a Personal Brand in the Further Education, Skills, and Learning Sectors .

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Education Benefits Present a Learning Opportunity

Changes in higher education are prompting companies to rethink the education benefits they offer to employees.

Introduction

As learning continues to evolve, so must education benefits. Tuition assistance remains common, but changes in higher education—and its rapidly rising costs—are prompting companies to re-examine this benefit. Micro-credentials and bite-sized learning are becoming more popular, particularly in technology fields, as employers adapt their education and training offerings to fit broader societal trends.

Meanwhile, student-loan debt has become a major employee concern, crowding out saving for retirement. It’s difficult for employers to provide cost-effective assistance with student debt, but recent IRS approval of a plan that combines student-loan payments and retirement savings can help.

Tuition assistance—whether through an upfront employer contribution or employee reimbursement—is a long-established education benefit. In fields such as nursing that have stringent continuing education requirements, tuition reimbursement is especially useful. However, despite the tight labor market, the percentage of companies offering tuition assistance has not rebounded since the 2007-09 recession. Fifty-one percent of respondents to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) 2018 Employee Benefits Survey said their companies offer undergraduate educational assistance, down from 66 percent in 2008. Forty-nine percent offer graduate educational assistance, down from 61 percent. 

Some HR practitioners say tuition benefits help them recruit and retain top employees. “It’s a competitive market, and so, from a recruitment standpoint, employers want to offer the best total rewards package they can,” says Catherine Olivieri, SHRM-SCP, vice president of human resources for Susan G. Komen in Dallas. “To me, that includes tuition reimbursement and development of employees. Depending on the organization, you may be trying to attract people, lower turnover, close a skills gap or develop more leaders.”

The Granite Group, a wholesale plumbing business based in Concord, N.H., offers tuition assistance for full-time employees, who must stay for at least one year after completing their education or repay the assistance. Because the company has begun requiring college degrees for certain roles, more employees are taking advantage of the benefit. “We hear from our people who go through tuition reimbursement, ‘My employer pays me to go to school,’ ” says Tracie Sponenberg, SHRM-SCP, senior vice president of human resources. “It’s benefiting us, and it’s supporting the individual, too.”

Overall, relatively few employees take advantage of tuition aid. Fewer than 10 percent of workers at companies that offer tuition reimbursement use the benefit annually, according to a recent estimate by Willis Towers Watson. 

Given the low usage rate, why do companies continue to offer this benefit? Tuition-assistance programs reduce employee turnover and help businesses identify their most productive workers, according to Peter Cappelli, director of the Center for Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Those who work and attend school are a self-selecting, motivated group, and learning more about these employees may help businesses with their talent management efforts.

One of the biggest shifts in employees’ financial priorities has been away from saving for retirement and toward paying off student loans.

A study of Cigna’s tuition-reimbursement program, conducted by Lumina Foundation, found that employees who used the benefit received more promotions and were less likely to leave than those who did not. About 5.8 percent of Cigna’s employees, or 2,200 people, received tuition reimbursement between 2012 and 2014. Those workers had, on average, a 43 percent incremental wage increase over a three-year period. Cigna’s return on investment was 129 percent, based on lower turnover and cost savings from internal promotions.

A key issue with tuition reimbursement is that employees typically must pay upfront and then wait to be reimbursed, which can mean that only more-affluent workers can participate. That’s especially true given the growing gap between the assistance employers provide and the rising cost of higher education. Companies can offer $5,250 of educational assistance tax-free each year. According to the College Board, average tuition and fees for in-state students at a four-year public university for the 2018-19 school year ranged from $5,400 in Wyoming to $16,610 in Vermont. For private universities, the average cost for 2018-19 was $35,830, up more than $7,000 in the past decade.

One way companies are closing this gap, while holding down their costs, is by directly paying employee tuition for courses in specific programs at designated schools. Workers often must first apply for federal financial aid, with companies making up the remaining costs.

In low-wage industries that are struggling to attract and keep workers, companies such as Walmart, Yum Brands’ Taco Bell, Kroger and McDonald’s either have launched programs to help employees with tuition or have expanded employee eligibility. McDonald’s allows employees to attend any accredited school; managers qualify for $3,000 in assistance per year, and nonmanagers can receive up to $2,500. Walmart will pay only for degrees in business or supply-chain management, through one of three online university programs.

Online courses provide flexibility for employees who are trying to work full time, take classes and care for families. Nearly one-third of U.S. undergraduate students took long-distance courses, which include online learning, in the fall of 2016. In November, Uber announced a partnership launching in eight cities that will allow drivers who have completed more than 3,000 rides and have high customer ratings to take free classes through Arizona State University’s (ASU’s) online programs. The ride-hailing company asks drivers to fill out financial aid forms and apply for federal grants, and ASU will provide scholarships. Uber covers the remaining costs. Drivers—who are considered contractors rather than employees—are responsible for taxes on the benefit. The program extends to drivers’ family members, such as spouses and siblings. Starbucks has had a similar partnership with ASU since 2014, through which about 2,000 employees have received degrees.

Other employers are striking narrow deals with online, for-profit universities that have seen drastic enrollment declines amid scrutiny of their graduation rates and marketing tactics. (Enrollment at private, for-profit institutions dropped 47 percent from 2010 to 2016, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.) Bright Horizons, for example, announced in July that it will pay for an associate or bachelor’s degree for its employees, many of whom are low-paid child care workers and teachers. But three of the four schools that workers may choose from are for-profit businesses, some with troubled histories.

Lifelong Learning

​Today’s employees are less likely to complete their education before they enter the job market, and their jobs’ skill requirements may change dramatically over the course of their careers. Automation is poised to eliminate many jobs and create new ones. The World Economic Forum reported that “in many industries and countries, the most in-demand occupations or specialties did not exist 10 or even five years ago, and the pace of change is set to accelerate.”

As a result, education, particularly in the fast-changing tech industry, is moving toward bite-sized offerings. Workers will see the lines blur between education benefits and corporate training.

Despite this shift, tuition reimbursement remains a valuable offering, according to Danna Hewick, SHRM-SCP, vice president of human resources at USSI, a cleaning-contracting company based in Bethesda, Md. But the current landscape favors supplementing that benefit with other education assistance, such as certification methods, nondegree online learning and learner-driven programs that give employees a budget they can spend on a variety of approved educational opportunities. “With colleges and universities becoming so expensive, and not always accessible to everyone, I think that from a learning perspective and a recruiting perspective, there are some trends to step back from that,” Hewick says. 

A number of states have set a goal of 60 percent of adults having a two-year or four-year degree by 2025, but the U.S. is lagging overall in reaching this objective. In 2017, nearly 48 percent of 25-to-34-year-olds in the U.S. had an associate degree or higher , up from 38 percent in 2000. Schools and employers are experimenting with educational alternatives that are less expensive, take less time to complete and focus on job-related skills. IBM recently called nanodegrees “the future of education.” Offered by providers such as Coursera and Udacity in partnership with corporations, these online programs, which typically last six months to a year, often focus on technology skills such as data science. 

Students in these programs often work on real-world projects that help the company that underwrote the course. In 2018, Google began offering scholarships to the IT management program it developed with Coursera, hoping to find potential employees. Those not selected for financial aid pay $49 a month for a part-time program that lasts about eight months.

Companies that offer education and training outside of typical employment arrangements aren’t required by law to provide those programs during work hours or to pay employees their usual wages while they learn. But some employers still incorporate education and training during the workweek, particularly where many employees are unfamiliar with a traditional college or online learning setting. In a 2018 Gallup poll, 59 percent of blue-collar workers said they would look to an employer for retraining if they lost their jobs due to technology, compared with 41 percent of white-collar workers, who were more comfortable relying on college courses.

At USSI, Hewick delivers education and training through infographics and five-minute micro-learning sessions, sometimes while employees are signing in to the company’s time system. “I have a very blue-collar population and a high population of people for whom English isn’t their first language,” she says. Infographics on mixing chemicals help to bridge language barriers. Employees also have short, standing meetings in which supervisors review safety requirements. 

Some of the five-minute lessons cover English vocabulary, such as common phrases employees may need if they encounter an office tenant. USSI also offers to help workers learn English more thoroughly, bringing in trainers, providing Rosetta Stone courses, and partnering with local schools. 

In addition, USSI gives supervisors quick lessons in soft skills, such as handling difficult behavior. The No. 1 area where employees are currently lacking is in interpersonal skills such as effective communication, says Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn. Chipotle uses savings from corporate tax cuts to provide employees with an accelerated training program, “Cultivate U.,” at its headquarters in Denver and in restaurant support centers in Newport Beach, Calif., and Columbus, Ohio. The program trains employees on situational leadership, behavioral assessments and organizational culture.

The first round of Cultivate U. was designed for field leaders, team directors and executive team directors. The program is expanding to include development for support center staff, as well as “high-performing and high-potential leaders throughout the organization,” according to the company.

Student-Loan Repayment

One of the biggest shifts in employees’ financial priorities has been away from saving for retirement and toward paying off student loans. In the U.S., student-loan debt has surpassed $1.5 trillion, nearly tripling from around $600 million a decade ago and becoming the largest form of consumer debt after mortgages. Among Millennial employees, 37 percent have student loans and, of that group, 46 percent say their loans are having a significant impact on their ability to meet other financial goals, according to a May 2018 PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of 1,600 full-time employed adults.

Since financial stress harms workplace productivity, a growing number of companies have been researching whether they can help their employees whittle down their student-loan debt. “A lot of employers are being told by employees—particularly younger employees—that they don’t contribute to their retirement plans because they have too much student-loan debt,” says Jeffrey Holdvogt, a partner at McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago who advises clients on employee benefits.

But student-loan assistance is a difficult benefit to administer. From the IRS’s perspective, employer contributions toward an employee’s student loans are treated like a bonus, so there’s no tax advantage for the offering, as there would be for 401(k) contributions and tuition assistance. Employers are responsible for payroll taxes on student-loan payments made on their employees’ behalf, and employees must pay income taxes. Legislation that would change the tax treatment of employer student-loan payments has stalled in Congress. 

​Some companies—including Fidelity, Hewlett-Packard, Enterprise, Staples, Aetna and Estée Lauder—offer programs to help employees with their loans. Overall, though, only 4 percent of respondents to SHRM’s 2018 Employee Benefits Survey said their companies offer student-loan payments as an employee benefit, barely changed from 3 percent in 2015.

Providing such a benefit may be especially effective for companies with many younger employees and workers with advanced degrees. But it won’t fit every company. “It’s less likely to be seen with employers who have significant numbers of hourly workers or manual laborers,” Holdvogt says. The tax code requires employers to show that benefits such as student-loan contributions don’t disproportionately favor highly compensated employees.

Facing an increasingly diverse workforce, HR practitioners know they can’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach to education. “Total rewards is the best term I can think of,” says Olivieri of Susan G. Komen, whose employees range from entry-level staff to Ph.D. researchers. “Where do we add the most value not just for the employer but for the employee as well?”

For Komen, with fewer than 300 employees, administering such a complex benefit has been cost-prohibitive, but the company recently made a push to educate employees and job candidates about federal loan-forgiveness programs available to nonprofit employees. The organization also has increased its focus on internal leadership development for midlevel employees and high-profile individuals. “I think it’s really important, not just to build our bench strength and help with succession planning but to help our people overall,” Olivieri says.

In a strong economy with rapidly changing skills requirements, companies that listen to their employees’ needs, tailor their education benefits accordingly and evolve their programs over time will better compete for in-demand workers—and keep those workers with them as they develop.  

Amy Merrick writes about business issues and teaches journalism at DePaul University in Chicago.

Illustration by Chris Gash.

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Why Companies Should Pay for Employees to Further Their Education

Sponsor content from Strategic Education.

By Terry McDonough and Cheryl Oldham

For today’s professional, a full-time job and family commitments are often so time-consuming that earning a college degree is a daunting gamble. Questions of affordability, flexibility, and relevance dominate decision making—in short, will the degree be worth the investment?

Alleviating risk in one area can make the decision easier. Financing higher education is perhaps the biggest obstacle to earning a degree, but what if the employer shouldered all of the financial burden? Through tuition assistance or reimbursement benefits, an employee could learn new skills and become a reliable asset to their organization, with less stress about how to pay for it.

The problem? At many organizations that offer education benefits, fewer than 5% of employees take advantage of these programs, according to SHRM .

This is a missed opportunity for both employee and employer, especially in light of the pandemic, as fears of wide-scale layoffs and furloughs have caused many employees to contemplate career shifts and building new skills.

“Companies will compete on how well they are able to find, source, develop, advance, and retain talent,” according to research by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Learners and workers will compete on skills and credentials and the ability to be agile in a dynamic labor market and economy. Communities, too, will compete on their ability to attract, develop, and retain a competitive workforce that will drive economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity.”

The global pandemic has introduced new urgency and risks that require bold thinking to update antiquated talent and education financing practices. Current approaches to financing education and career readiness fail to meet the needs of the labor market. We in higher ed and the employment space need to create employee education programs that are attractive and relevant for the employee and that can build and retain a skilled workforce for the employer.

A 2016-17 survey administered by the Graduate! Network found that from an employer’s perspective, education programs were influential in their ability to achieve organizational goals, including decreased turnover and increased customer satisfaction, employee engagement and productivity, and profit. Experts at  McKinsey contend that businesses will emerge stronger from the pandemic if they start reskilling their workforces now.

There is enough evidence that this is the right path forward, so why aren’t we moving rapidly to scale employer-sponsored employee education programs?

Because employer-sponsored employee education programs are not ready to be scaled. The current user experience is Byzantine and lengthy, overly processed, and about as user-friendly as a rotary phone in an iPhone world.

To showcase the power of these programs, we need to create an experience that is both easy and interesting. Higher education and employers can come together to create innovative solutions that produce tangible results. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US (FCA) partnered with Strayer University to offer its dealership employees and their families the opportunity to earn a degree at Strayer free of charge. According to 2017 data, participating dealers experienced nearly 40% higher employee retention and a 17% higher revenue growth than nonparticipating dealers.

But just creating a better experience isn’t enough. We need to show value, because for employees, the value of earning a degree or credential is not always clear.

A recent national poll by Strada Education Network found that there is growing interest in postsecondary education or training among adult learners aged 25 to 44 without a college degree. However, these learners are less likely than they were a year ago to believe that the education or training will be worth the cost and will help them get a good job. Fewer than one-third of adults without degrees reported understanding “very well” available career pathways, valuable skills, and details about potential education programs.

This is a call for employers to help. By developing solutions that provide employees with a clear path to success—from choosing a degree program that best fits their goals to mapping out which courses will be most applicable—employers can effectively train or reskill employees to meet their own workforce needs.

But how? Employers are working with cumbersome platforms, little to no measurement or tracking tools, and high fees for online program managers (OPMs) to administer education benefits.

The pandemic has reminded us vividly of the power of technology to alleviate and solve challenges. We talk with our doctors, bank securely, and order dinner, all on our phones—all but eliminating any argument that technology has no place in higher education. In that vein, to be successful, employee education programs must shift to be more like a make your own burrito bowl and less like a prix-fixe menu.

A partnership between Noodle Partners and Strategic Education—parent company of both Capella University and Strayer—adapts the insurance industry’s concept of “in network” and “out of network” to deliver relevant educational programs.

Through a newly developed employee education management portal, employees will be able to choose from Noodle’s network of public and private universities, find a program that fits their needs, and manage their benefits—all on one platform. Employers will be able to log into the same portal to administer and disburse funds as well as check on progress. This new level of data will allow benefits managers to better track returns on their investment and make adjustments as necessary.

This example shows how much there is to gain when higher ed and business come together for the benefit of adult learners. The key to a successful partnership is to prioritize the needs of employee-students, which are very different from those of traditional four-year college students.

There are more innovations like this that will achieve better results for employers and for workers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and others, recently launched Talent Finance , a groundbreaking initiative to explore new private-sector-led solutions for investing in people and skills that keep pace with innovation and advance economic opportunity, inclusion, and competitiveness. Constant innovation and investment in the economy’s most important resource—human capital—is needed to build the workforce of the future. Talent Finance will develop new ways for employers and the financial services community to work together to identify private sector tools for financing talent development and new strategies for managing risk in the labor market.

The pandemic reminds us all that the way we’ve done things in the past is no longer a feasible option. For the United States to grow its economy and strengthen its global competitiveness, the education and business industries must reimagine their approach to expanding economic opportunity. Strategic investments need to be made on both the employer side and the employee side—with assistance from higher education companies that are willing to invest in promising technologies—to evolve the tuition assistance and reimbursement programs for the future. Their alliance is a path forward for meeting the evolving demand for new skills with an affordable and accessible education that benefits employees, businesses, higher education, and the overall economy during a pandemic, and beyond.

To learn more about WorkforceEdge powered by Strategic Education, click here.

Terry McDonough serves as president of alternative learning at Strategic Education, Inc. — a mission-driven higher education organization dedicated to advancing economic and career mobility through higher education. In his role, Terry oversees Strategic Education’s non-degree portfolio, including Sophia Learning, self-paced general education courses that are ACE-recommended for college credit; WorkforceEdge, a full-service, online employee education management portal; Degrees@Work, customized employer-sponsored degree programs for businesses; and non-degree web and mobile application development programs through DevMountain, Generation Code, and Hackbright Academy.

Cheryl Oldham serves a dual role as vice president of education policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and senior vice president of the education and workforce program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Why pursue further study - 5 long-term benefits for your career and personal life

Why pursue further study?

• Greater employment and financial opportunities.
• The opportunity to pursue a passion.
• Improved self-confidence and well-being.
• Developing self-discipline.
• Improvements in networking and communication.

1. Greater employment and financial opportunities.

2. The opportunity to pursue a passion.

3. Improved self-confidence and well-being.

4. Developing self-discipline.

5. Improvements in networking and communication.

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Building Bridges, Cultivating Success

Professional Pointers: The Perks and Consideration When Pursuing Further Education

• January 9, 2020

The Benefits of Furthering Your Education

If you’re reading this, then you’re already contemplating as to whether or not you should pursue further studies, either by getting a Master’s degree or perhaps even taking a different undergraduate college degree. To start, let’s discuss the perks of furthering your education, in the hopes that they’re enough to convince you why it’s a good idea to do so.

First off, having a master’s degree or even another Bachelor’s degree can help you broaden your horizons and open yourself up to more career opportunities. Next, and perhaps the most common reason behind pursuing further studies is that you’ll be able to make more money and increase your chances of landing higher and better-paying positions. And, specifically for Master’s degrees, you can potentially become a sought-out expert in the field and even increase your job satisfaction and security.

And while it’s evident that further education can significantly benefit you, the next (and arguably the hardest) question you need to ask is if it’s the right time to do so. To help you determine whether or not it’s high time for you to do so, it’s best to ask yourself the following questions:

#1 What Do I Want?

A lot of professionals encounter this crossroad in their careers where they question their current choice of career path, and whether or not they should pursue it any further. Know that you have a lot of options when furthering your education and that you don’t have to get a degree that’s related to the job you have or the college degree you graduated from. Although it would be more ‘convenient’ for you to do so, you should reconsider getting a master’s degree in line with your current educational background and job experience if you don’t find personal and professional satisfaction it. Some professionals and fresh college graduates who start in one field end up studying another field as soon as they realize what they want.

#2 Can You Afford It?

This isn’t only a question of money, but also of time. Can you afford to balance your current job and your studies? Are you financially stable or prepared to pay for the tuition and other school-related fees? It’s best to make a financial audit of sorts to see if you’re able to support yourself through your academic pursuit, and also to review your current schedule to determine if you can juggle the demands of your job and your school. If you’re confident with your mental capacity and time management skills, but you’re having doubts due to the financial aspect of your chosen degree, you can take advantage of scholarships or even ask your current employer if they have programs that help their employees in covering their tuition. For example, if you’re looking to pursue an MSBA in business analytics in Singapore, there’s a good chance that your current company may even sponsor you as they’ll also benefit from what you’ve learned in the program.

#3 How’s the Job Market?

You have to remember how much time, effort, and money you’ll be putting into your degree. So you have to make sure that you choose one that can benefit you in terms of job opportunities. It’s best to be practical about which program to choose that’s also in line with the career or field that you’d want. Research the demand for jobs that require those degrees to see whether or not it’s worth pursuing now, or if it would be a waste of money and effort doing so.

The Takeaway

Regardless of what motivates you to pursue further studies, whether it be for improved earning potential and opportunities or career satisfaction, you need to know if it’s the right time to jump into it to minimize risk and avoid any regrets due to poor foresight and planning. So, before you send in your applications and sign that tuition check, make sure that you ask yourselves all these questions first.

About the Author

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