Tuition reimbursement is an important perk offered by many companies, but employees often assume that tuition reimbursement only extends to brick and mortar schools.
One of the most expedient and effective ways to get new skills is to use tuition reimbursement to upskill yourself on the new in-demand skills of the future.
Here’s how you can use your tuition reimbursement to upskill for today and tomorrow.
Tuition Reimbursement: How it Works
Many companies have tuition reimbursement programs for employees to upskill as a way to show that the company is willing to invest in the future of its workforce.
Plus, from an internal perspective, upskilling allows for employees to be more effective and more engaged in their roles, while also developing future leaders for the organization.
Depending on your employer, the types of courses you can enroll in for upskilling will vary. Some may only pay for courses specifically related to your current role or other roles within the organization. Others may allow reimbursement for any courses at all.
Your employer may have a partnership agreement with specific education providers that offer courses and programs reflective of the demands of their business.
In most cases, you’ll pay for the course out of pocket and then get reimbursed. The percentage of reimbursement can depend on a number of factors including the type of course, if it’s directly related to your role or has potential future benefits to the company, or the grade achieved.
The reimbursement may cover only tuition or include additional expenses like books and other fees.
Regardless of how the program is executed, one thing is clear — choosing to upskill through tuition reimbursement is truly a win-win scenario for both you and the company you work for.
Why Should You Upskill?
The tech industry is evolving quickly in most areas, like big data, machine learning and UX design. This means that employers need skilled employees to meet these changing demands.
With student loan debt at an all-time high, going back to school isn’t always a financially viable option for many people, especially those newer to the workforce. So finding an employer that offers you the ability to upskill as part of your benefits package offers you an affordable way to further your education and advance your career at the same time.
Using tuition reimbursement to upskill also allows you to work at your own pace. For most people working a full-time job, enrolling in a full-time program or degree isn’t often feasible. However, when you upskill, you can break things down into smaller, more manageable parts. Maybe that means taking one course per semester for now, but having that flexibility to balance your work and education can help you be more successful.
Upskilling also makes you a valuable resource for your employer, especially in the world of tech. Technology is evolving at a pace that can be hard to keep up with, so by learning additional skills you can position yourself as a leader amongst your peers.
When looking towards your future, the more diverse your skill set is the more employment opportunities will be available. So even if there isn’t anything in terms of skills you think you need currently, why not consider what skills you could add that would make you a more well-rounded employee overall?
Make an Impact on Your Career By Deciding to Upskill
Using tuition reimbursement programs to upskill is highly beneficial for your career — both now and in the future. By choosing to take advantage of these programs, you’ll not only learn new skills, but gain confidence in your areas of expertise.
By choosing to capitalize on upskill opportunities, you can carve out a career path that keeps you engaged for years to come.
Are you interested in finding courses and programs to help you upskill?
Explore the Udacity course catalog for a full suite of find courses and programs to meet your educational needs.
