How to Maximize Retention and Provide Innovative Education Benefits Through Strategic Upskilling
At this year’s SHRM conference in Chicago, attendees had the opportunity to join the panel on “Strategic Upskilling: Fueling Retention in the Age of Innovation,” with speakers from Edcor, Amazon, the KFC Foundation, and Brinker International, parent company of Chili's and Maggiano's. The session highlighted the transformative power of upskilling through education benefits and the significant impact on employee retention in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
Moderator:
- Vicki Greene, President of GED Testing Service and SVP of Pearson Workforce Skills
Panelists: Â
- Jeff Bulanda, Senior Manager, Amazon Career ChoiceÂ
Adrienne Way, CEO & Owner, EdcorÂ
Debbie Rollins, Program Director, KFC FoundationÂ
Scott Roberson, Senior Project Lead, Brinker International
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A holistic approach to employee education benefits
While discussing the importance of well-rounded employer-offered education benefits, Edcor’s CEO Andrienne Way stressed the necessity of paying attention to the entire employee base and understanding their diverse needs and aspirations. This approach is essential for creating meaningful programs that cater to employees at various stages of their careers.
Scott Roberson from Brinker International shared how their program, Best You EDU™, supports over 65,000 employees through initiatives like English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, GED credentialing via GEDWorks™, and degree options through Pearson Accelerated Pathways. These programs are tailored to meet employees where they are, helping them advance in their careers.
Debbie Rollins of the KFC Foundation discussed their significant expansion from one to over nine educational programs in the last 14 years. Many of KFC’s 100,000 emoloyees are frontline workers without a high school diploma. As a founding partner of GEDWorks, the KFC Foundation has enabled over 400 employees to earn their GED credentials through GEDWorks – it’s life-changing for them and their families!
Moving onto higher education, companies and employees appreciate how Pearson Accelerated Pathways ensure that no credit is left behind – whether it’s for Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree studies. Academic advisors review existing credits and incorporate them into the degree path for seamless and cost-effective transition towards achieving academic and professional goals, saving time and money for learners and companies alike.
Financial considerations and managing learner expectations
Panelists explored the financial implications of offering education benefits, which ultimately save organizations money by reducing recruitment, hiring, and training expenses. Beyond financial savings, such benefits contribute to a more skilled and loyal workforce.
Scott pointed out that while degrees and certificates can open doors to new opportunities, they do not automatically lead to pay raises or promotions. However, they prepare employees for greater responsibilities and potential career advancement. Jeff Bulanda from Amazon Career Choice emphasized the importance of ensuring employees are adequately trained for advanced roles, such as data center technicians at AWS.
Expanding benefits to family members and student loan repayment
The conversation also touched on expanding educational benefits to family members and offering student loan repayment options. Edcor’s Adrienne Way addressed how some healthcare organizations use student loan repayment to attract physicians and nurses, highlighting the potential for similar strategies in other industries. Scott talked about plans to extend benefits to one family member and considering student loan forgiveness. Vicki noted that educational benefits go beyond empowering individuals to achieve their degrees – they have a generational effect that positively impacts their family. Â
The evolution of education toward flexibility and focus on skills Â
The pursuit of higher education has become increasingly flexible and accessible, compared to the traditional approaches that have been in place for centuries. Â
For example, going from the GED or a traditional high school diploma to college-level learning is easier now thanks to Bridge-to-College courses by Pearson Accelerated Pathways. Flexible, online courses are available to learners who completed their high school credential but are not quite ready to dive into a college degree. The courses set them up for success with organizational skills as well as more advanced English and Math, all of which count as credits when enrolling in a higher education institution. Â
One exciting opportunity for professionals is the ability to obtain a graduate certificate or stack credits towards a master’s degree through programs like Pearson Accelerated Pathways. This innovative approach allows individuals to use their existing credits, significantly reducing the cost and time required to earn an advanced degree. Degrees can be achieved without career interruption, enabling individuals and companies to plan for growth and keep up with skill demands.
Embracing AI and technological advancements
The discussion concluded with an exploration of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological advancements in education. AI is already being used by students to aid their learning. Pearson is actively developing tools to harness AI’s potential in education, ensuring that students and professionals alike can benefit from these innovations.
By leveraging past education, providing comprehensive support, and embracing technological advancements, organizations can empower their employees to achieve their academic and professional goals. This holistic approach benefits employees directly and contributes to overall organizational success and growth.