How to obtain education funding from your Company???

[s89t3]

How should one obtain (i.e ask for) funding from their employer for education that will greatly benefit themselves and the company???

Also, let’s say funding was denied and one were to pay for the education themselves, how should one seek reimbursement for the new value that they will be bringing to the table following additional training(i.e. ask for raise etc .

All/any comments/suggestions welcome.

 

[MadMango]

It never hurts to ask, but if your company does not have an education reimbursement policy, it will be difficult. You could ask about an end of year bonus that might cover the cost, ask for a raise, etc. In reality, you will find that you will probably have to seek a new employer.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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[jpankask]

If you work for a very small company, they may be able to consider some kind of reimbursement without a formal tuition reimbursement policy. If the company is medium to large size, I agree with MadMango that it will be difficult at best to get any kind of tuition reimbursement.

To answer your other question, sadly, you will probably need to look to another employer to get any kind of meaningful raise after you complete your degree. From the company's perspective, you are doing the same job you did before (unless the education makes your more promotable), so really what benefit is the extra education. Particularly if they pay for any of the education, they will consider that your "raise" because it will not be cheap. What employers usually neglect to consider is when that extra education helps you do your job more efficiently, thus you can get more work done. However, this should find it's way out in your yearly performance reviews (which is the minimum a good employer will hold reviews).

In short, ask for the reimbursement. If that is denied, you certainly can ask for the raise after your degree is completed. Be sure to keep detailed records of how your schooling has made you a better employee and made your work better. If that is also denied, start looking around. Someone else will value that degree.

 

[ctopher]

I agree with the others.
I quit my last company. One reason was they didn't offer much for tuition.
My new job ... they pay 100%. (I can't offer the name of the company online)

Chris
SolidWorks 07 3.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

 

[Guest0527211403]

It also depends on the type of education you are looking at (i.e. a degree versus corporate training)

Since a(nother) degree really benefits you, but at the same time makes you more valuable to the company, you should ask for a raise.

If you're interested in taking a training course like those offered by software companies in using their software, I don't think it would be out of line to ask your employer to pay this expense. Courses offered by professional organizations (i.e. ASME) would probably also fall under this category since they are usually highly specialized in your own field.

The grey area in between might be professional development courses offered by universities/colleges. I'm looking at one right now in Building Science since we do a lot of facility design. It's my plan to ask for partial support from my employer, since what I learn out of that makes me better at my job, but if I were to leave next year, the certification I receive is still mine.

 

[Lion06]

How long have you been at your company? If your company values the graduate degree, they may ask you to take up the task.
My employer is offering to pay for my graduate program (which I am taking them up on, and completely unsolicited by me) after giving me an 8.33% raise after my first year review.
You should at least ask them. Maybe they don't know you are interested. The worst they can do is say, "no". Even if they are willing to pay for 50% of it, that is 50% less that you have to put out of your pocket.

 

[corus]

Most larger employers have training budgets and it's not uncommon for them to pay for extra hours training from within that budget. Depending on your age and the qualification being sought you may also be given time off from work on a day release basis. If you don't ask you'll never get.

corus

 

[gerhardl]

Hello S89t3,

Support possibility will vary according to a lot of variables, some mentioned above. If there is a written company policy, all should be clear. Most often this is not the case, or even if 'unofficial rules' exists, there is always details to be cleared.

Most important: all support is depending at how the company (read: your boss) is looking at you and your present and future career in the company.

My advice is to ask for a personal and undisturbed consultation with your boss, explaining what you are planning to do. Bear in mind that you might be asked what you ,on your side, are willing to offer. This could be a possible contract on at least x years after education working for the company, and support depending on documented examination papers or documentd skills obtained etc. Then simply ask for advice.

You might get a few surprices here, both positive and negative, but it is always better to know. (If you are lucky you might get the support in pure joy from your boss because he thought the discusion was about you quitting the company ....!? )

If positive result, ask for a brief mutual contract in writing, avoiding misunderstandings with possible future changes in the companys management.