Published: 10th December 2019.
Written by Melinda Irvine
Upskilling by taking classes is an amazing way to enhance your skills and benefits you and your employer.
Even better, many companies will foot the bill for your learning if you know how to ask. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to get your place of work to invest in your education.
Stay loyal
According to a 2018 LinkedIn report, 94% of employees said they would stay at a company longer if it showed a willingness to invest in their career. One way in which loyalty is shown from the company to the employee is through paying for new learning opportunities. If you can show how much it will mean to have your company help you on your educational journey, that might encourage them to help you out.
A two-way street
By helping you learn more, your company is turning you into a better employee, which in turn can help the business. Maybe an online Diploma of Database Design and Development can help improve your digital organisation and effectiveness. Or perhaps an online Diploma of Website Development can help you expand your horizons and bring a new look or improved user experience to your company's online presence. Discuss how you will implement what you learn in your day-to-day work with the decision makers in your company. It helps them visualise how and why you're interested in further learning.
Preparation is key
Going in with a plan is important if you're going to convince your bosses to pay for your schooling. Provide key details like what program you're interested in, how you're going to study, how long it's going to take and how much it will cost. These are the practical details that can show you're serious about this undertaking.
Be flexible
Don't forget that something is better than nothing, and if you go in with a rigid mindset, you might not only miss out on funding, but also do some real damage to your relationship with your employer. Consider accepting partial funding, and think about if you're ready to sign a contract that says you'll stay at the company for a certain amount of time or face paying back their funding.
Having your employer pay for your education is a fantastic way for you to grow your skillset and will make you an even better employee. Go in with confidence and the right attitude and you just might be getting ready to study sooner rather than later.