Investing In Your Most Valuable Resource: Employees

Posted Monday, February 27, 2006

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Employers may be losing money if they do not invest in those responsible for their success.

 

To encourage continued success among employees, a growing number of organizations are recognizing the role continuing education plays in workforce development. A growing trend indicates that businesses are providing financial support to employees who want to return to the classroom to upgrade their skills. Not only have they recognized that this will result in a more productive workforce, but employees will be able to recognize and overcome challenges in their business.

 

According to an October 2003 Insight Express survey, 78 percent of companies are investing in their workers' education and skills by providing tuition reimbursement. The survey also found 25 percent had increased the level of reimbursement over the last three years – once they see the return they are getting, employers are more likely to invest more in workforce development.

 

While internal training always will be necessary, employers are recognizing the merits of a continually educated workforce. More and more employers are asking what learning institutions can do for them and their staff. University of Phoenix has mastered the art of partnering with these organizations to develop customized training programs relevant to the industry in question or skill set employees need to develop.

 

For instance, in Alpharetta, University of Phoenix is currently working with over 40 organizations in North Fulton County. With a workforce of over 60,000 employees, these 40 organizations are getting themselves ahead of the curve by looking at what University of Phoenix can offer their employees – and ultimately, their bottom line.

 

For employees, going back to school for certification or to refresh skills is common. Workers are constantly challenged to absorb as much as possible in their worlds and relate it back to their day-to-day work. To keep pace with the demand for education and information, all higher education institutions are developing programs for working adults.

 

Over the past 30 years, University of Phoenix has become a leader in adult education. The University knows what working adults need: quality education, convenient schedules and accessibility. At the Alpharetta campus, working adults can choose from evening and weekend classes at the campus and via the Internet. And, to make the process even easier, classes are also brought on-site at company facilities for employees to learn during lunch hours or after work. In Georgia, 9800 students have taken advantage of the learning opportunities University of Phoenix provides.

 

Managers who recognize the value of employee development programs and find a way to engage their workforce in participating will collect countless rewards, from enhanced loyalty and a motivated workforce to being able to cultivate their own management team from within and spend fewer manpower hours training employees from within.

 

Employees gain as well. Not only do they enhance their skill set, but they gain access to the latest trends and emerging business strategies their companies may not employ. For instance, University of Phoenix’s classes are taught by faculty who are employed in the field in which they teach, giving students real-world scenarios and the tools they can take back and apply in their workplace. And since classes are composed of working adults, collaborative peer-to-peer learning also takes place.

 

An organization’s growth greatly impacts its workforce because it brings new opportunities for employees and a chance for management to seek out new leaders from within. In order to sustain this cycle and continue growth, astute organizations are investing in their workforces, to both retain and enhance their current employees.

 

With the increasing exodus of baby boomers from the workforce and an emerging phenomenon called “talent wars” – where, as the economy picks up steam, exceptional employees realize their skill set offers them myriad employment opportunities to choose from – the workplace has evolved into an even more competitive environment.

 

Employees who are engaged in reinforcing their education provide companies with fresh perspectives and put them in the fast lane to increase success. Building education opportunities for employees into business growth strategies is an investment that will pay off for years to come.

 

Judi K. Gentry is the Corporate Education Liaison for University of Phoenix – Alpharetta and North Georgia. Gentry is charged with identifying organizational education needs and developing strategic plans to meet the continuing education needs of employees.

University of Phoenix – Alpharetta and North Georgia is located at 1725 Windward Concourse in Alpharetta. For more information on how University of Phoenix can help meet your education needs, please call (770) 776-2401.

 

About University of Phoenix:

University of Phoenix, which has served working adults for nearly 30 years, has made its mission to remove barriers to education for busy adults by providing accessible scheduling and rigorous degree programs centered on professional goals. The University is the largest private accredited university in North America and is owned by parent company Apollo Group, Inc. As of November 30, 2005, 315,400 students attend Apollo Group, Inc., institutions. The University’s focus on small interactive classes, highly personalized teaching and comprehensive academic accountability systems has won praise and recognition by noteworthy academic and business leaders. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

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