Dive Brief:
- Ninety-four percent of more than 1,000 CFOs surveyed for a recent Robert Half report said their companies pay for some or all costs associated with employees' professional certifications.
- Almost all CFO respondents to the survey said they provide partial or full support for employees to maintain credentialing.
- Certification support is less common among small businesses, though employers that offer such payments said they're seeing improvements in productivity and retention, according to Robert Half.
Dive Insight:
In today's tight labor market, benefits that attract and retain talent cannot be overlooked. Applicants say they're looking for work that comes with development opportunities, and employees say they're ready to learn — but expect employers to foot the bill.
In response, many employers have introduced tuition reimbursement programs in recent years. Programming can upskill workers quickly and certification may serve to verify knowledge. From tech credentialing and badges to HR certifications, employees appear to value workplaces that support continuing education.
As a result, learning and development has become a recruiting brand element for many employers. Learning spend is on the rise and, as Robert Half's respondents report, the payoff may be improved engagement and retention.
