01/10/2013 (press release: NETtime) // NETtime Solutions
In a recent survey, NETtime Solutions dug deeper into higher education and the effectiveness of different learning methods in the workplace. Upon completion of the education survey, people from all walks of life, spanning retail, finance, healthcare, and hospitality, had provided real-life feedback on learned skills for business progression.
Of those who responded, NETtime uncovered that the most prevalent form of ongoing education after high school was a formal education at a college or university (85% of survey takers had taken classes at a collegiate institution). The second most popular form of ongoing education was self-education through books, followed by self-directed learning, such as trial and error. A very low percentage (22%) of participants attended a trade school or engaged in mentorship as a form of education.
The small number of workers engaging in mentorship as an education source supports NETtime’s findings from their previous survey on mentorship where it was determined that companies could benefit from establishing mentorship programs as a low-cost alternative for skills training. Although many have not engaged in mentorship as an education source, 60% of the mentorship survey participants who had a mentorship experience reported that it was more effective in career progression than a formal education. Self-education was also reported to be more effective in a career path than formal education by over half of the education survey respondents.
Interestingly, the education survey revealed that although 85% of respondents felt that continuing their education held financial benefits, only 52% of those who were offered company reimbursement for ongoing training took advantage of the free education. Based on information collected during the survey, education reimbursement programs seem to be more readily available in the education industry where the value of knowledge is both one’s job and key to doing one’s job.
When asked, “As a working adult, how have you managed continuing your education?” respondents provided responses including:
– I went to college while working full time, and managed by attending a 100% online school… My employer offers tuition reimbursement… Now that I am done with school, I sometimes do training videos online during slow times at work, or from home when work is busy.
– I read books in my field of work, which help me greatly to advance in my field. The books were available for free at work. Usually I would either read them on my lunch break or take them home.
– I have very limited time so I try to take advantage of any opportunity for more education. I have taken online courses, seminars, webinars and formal training. Any education is a potential advancement in career and is always an advancement in the arena of life. Cost is always prohibitive but I learned many years ago that the price for NOT continuing education is much higher in the long run than the upfront costs.
Those looking for a way to balance work, life and finances while continuing their education can draw valuable tips from these responses. Education can be done a little at a time, even if it is just picking up a book during lunch. Location is no longer a hurdle with the availability of online classes that can be completed from anywhere with the Internet. Also, the cost of ongoing education should not deter one from learning. Investing in yourself will pay the biggest returns (both direct and indirect) of anywhere you could put your money.
To see the full results of NETtime’s survey on education please visit www.Facebook.com/NETtime and view the graphs in our “Helpful Labor Law Data” photo album. To learn more about NETtime Solutions and their SaaS time and attendance software go to www.NETtimeSolutions.com.
Newsroom powered by Online Press Release Distribution – SubmitMyPressRelease.com
