Executive education plays an essential role when an employer identifies organizational skills gaps. Many certificate and degree programs for professionals are designed to deliver real-world knowledge that can be deployed quickly in the workplace, preparing companies to handle challenges and position themselves for opportunities.
Learning paths for employees can include business-critical functions, including operations, IT, business, leadership and management. Education should be considered an investment for organizations, as it can be linked to employee engagement and satisfaction. Online education is a flexible and convenient option for many professionals.
Organizations seeking to maximize results might choose to enroll a group of employees in a certificate or degree program. Here are some reasons why.
Benefits for Employers
Group enrollments can help employers retain institutional knowledge. By exposing more employees to information, lessons and exercises that boost operations and propel growth, the company’s investment in education is buffered against the departure of an individual worker.
Turnover is always a consideration. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median tenure for workers was 4.2 years in January 2018. For employees age 25 to 34, the median tenure was 2.8 years.
LinkedIn’s 2018 Workplace Learning Report says 94% of employees would remain longer with a company that invested in their career.
Group enrollments may also have a financial benefit. Some institutions provide special pricing for employers that enroll five or more workers at a time. Bisk, as online program manager for leading universities, has helped many organizations stretch their education budget with tuition reductions. Bisk also provides enterprise-level support.
Benefits for Employees
Employees seek executive education for reasons including:
- Development
- Industry certification or continuing education credits
- Updated skill sets
- Soft skills
- Self-esteem
- Professional or personal curiosity
In online programs, participants can study and work on assignments together, fostering an environment of teamwork and accountability. Lessons learned can be integrated into the workplace, benefitting the entire organization.
“I frequently am asked to look at processes outside my areas and offer advice,” said healthcare executive Angela Lahr, who earned a Certificate in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University in 2019. “From within my areas, I work with the Directors to identify processes that have opportunity for improvement.
“I then guide them along by offering ‘just-in-time’ education on specific Lean principles. When needed I apply the Six Sigma principles to the data we collect to analyze their improvement efforts.”
Employers who would like to enroll a group of employees in a degree or certificate program can learn more here.