10 Ways Education Benefits Create a Positive Work Environment

In today’s competitive business world, education benefits are more than a perk—they are a key strategy for creating a positive work environment. Subject matter experts across industries have shared how education benefits have shaped their careers and their organizations. Read on for 10 ways education benefits can transform workplaces into more engaging, inclusive, and productive environments.

1. Promote Employee Growth and Development

Education benefits can empower employees to enhance their skills and knowledge. Whether through tuition reimbursement, online course platforms like Sophia, or non-degree programs, providing opportunities for employees to pursue relevant education paths shows your commitment to their career development.

According to a Workforce Edge Learner Survey, "94% of Workforce Edge users surveyed are using their education benefits to improve their opportunities for future promotion, career advancement, or higher salary.*"

*Source: 2023 Workforce Edge Learner Survey 

2. Boost Employee Retention

“When employees feel that their employer is invested in their future, they are more likely to stay with the company long term and be motivated to perform well,” explains Katelyn Bloyd, assistant director of employee experience at Baptist Health.

An employee utilizing an education benefit may find themselves considering their current job and overall career path in a more long-term way. 75% of Workforce Edge users surveyed agree that they see themselves working at their company two years from now.*

*Source: 2023 Workforce Edge Learner Survey 

3. Increase Job Satisfaction

When employees feel they have the resources to grow and advance, their job satisfaction may improve.

Teresa Sebert, senior director, Total Rewards, at Strategic Education, Inc., recently discussed how education benefits can be part of the wider conversation about employees’ options.

“In my work, I see high engagement and satisfaction rates from folks pursuing education,” Sebert says. “It’s in a company’s best interest to offer education benefits to support its people.” 

4. Create a Culture of Continuous Learning

When one employee begins to take advantage of an education benefit, they can cause a ripple effect that contributes to more employees pursuing learning opportunities. Ray Traina, an instructor at Hackbright Academy, recently shared that offering education benefits can grow beyond individual effects.

“Employees and employers alike benefit from investments into personal knowledge growth, which is why I am an advocate for creating continuous learning and peer-learning opportunities within companies,” Traina says. 

5. Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives 

Maria Weber, M.S., director, cybersecurity at Saint Louis University has noticed that there is still a gender gap in the world of IT. She believes that education can help close that gap and support a company’s efforts toward DEI initiatives.

“I think as women, education can help support our career development in the ways we usually think it can: education can help us get ready for new roles and responsibilities. Beyond that, there’s a great opportunity to connect with mentors and coaches through an academic program. Through mentorship/career coaching, women can learn more about what an IT career looks like. They can also draw inspiration from those who have risen to a high level within the industry. And once they’ve gotten their education and are well into their own careers, women can then mentor younger or newer individuals,” Weber says.

6. Enhance Recruitment Efforts

Top talent is often attracted to organizations that invest in their employees. Meggie Enxuto, vice president of education for Strayer University’s Hackbright Academy and Devmountain, recently explained the benefits of offering short-form learning opportunities through tech bootcamps. 

“Upskilling can help solve staffing challenges, which includes recruitment efforts and retention. Some employers already use bootcamps as part of their recruitment for external talent. Five of our partners sponsor tuition for people to join their company and participate in the program, which means the bootcamp tuition is covered. For folks who are already interested in bootcamps, this can be an appealing part of their job search.”

Read more from Enxuto on coding bootcamp benefits here.

7. Support Improved Employee Performance

With access to further education and training, employees can often perform their jobs more effectively. Higher-skilled employees contribute to improved productivity and better organizational outcomes. 

Teresa Sebert, senior director, Total Rewards, at Strategic Education, Inc., recently discussed how education benefits can be part of the wider conversation about employees’ performance throughout the year.

“The most helpful thing is to make education benefits part of the conversations that employees have with their managers. This can be done annually, at mid-year check-ins, or during performance reviews,” Sebert says. “Managers talking with employees about career goals and how the company is willing to invest in their growth through education benefits can be very powerful and helpful for employees to understand their options. It is also good for the company, because while the employee is learning and growing, they bring their new ideas to work with them.”

8. Encourage Innovation and Creativity

Access to new knowledge and learning opportunities can spark innovation and creativity. Employees who continually learn may bring fresh ideas to the table. 

In early 2024, a Workforce Edge blog described the rise of cross-team collaborative learning and how it might contribute to more inventive, imaginative teams. When individuals pursue education by utilizing an education benefit, they may encourage learning in others by sharing out the skills they are building.

9. Build a Stronger Organizational Culture

Education benefits can unify your workforce around common goals of growth and development. A helpful way to encourage all team members to engage in the pursuit of these shared goals is to offer flexibility in how education benefits are utilized.  

Constance St. Germain, Ed.D, president for Capella University, recently shared the following statement about the sometimes differing needs of women employees: “Companies can give women more leadership opportunities and retain the women they do have by creating a culture where women can bring their authentic selves to work. Ensure they are provided professional development opportunities tailored to their unique needs, [guaranteeing] equity in promotion opportunities and pay, and providing flexibility around how, when, and where the work is done." 

10. Demonstrate Company Commitment to Employee Success

By investing in education benefits, employers can prove that their company values and prioritizes employee success. This commitment builds trust and loyalty.

Scott Deming, SVP of Enterprise Partnerships and CEO of Workforce Edge (a division of Strategic Education, Inc.), believes in the importance of education benefits as evidence of a company’s commitment to its employees.

“For companies, the biggest statement they can make is to say, ‘We’re going to send our employees to school and pay for it.’ That is a substantial commitment,” Deming says. 

Education benefits can be a powerful tool for creating a positive work environment. Explore how Workforce Edge can support your company in creating your most engaged, innovative and productive team yet.