Survey of 30,000 U.S. Workers Suggests Automation Anxiety, College Debt is Driving Demand for Education Benefits
First annual Working Learner Index provides insight into the motivations and aspirations of an estimated 14 million U.S. workers who are going back to school while on the job
“As the pace of technological change accelerates, the role -- and value -- of education in the workplace is exploding,” said
According to a
One generation, however, seemed to prioritize learning the most: Generation Z. Today’s youngest workers called education the most desirable benefit (not including healthcare), outpacing even paid sick/vacation leave and retirement savings programs. Eighty-eight percent say they would be more likely to recommend their employer because of its education benefits.
For workers of all ages, keeping pace with or getting ahead of changes in a job -- more so than increased earning potential -- was the top reason to pursue education while working. But financial concerns still remain; about half of survey respondents reported having some student loan debt, and 49 percent said they would not have pursued education if their employers had not offered tuition reimbursement programs.
The Index also highlighted demand for online learning, and includes notable findings about the success of working learners. More than half of respondents earning their bachelor’s degree did so in less than four years-- including 14 percent who completed it in under two years. Forty-two percent of respondents said the most important factor when choosing a school for continued education was that it offered fully online classes and coursework.
For employers, the Index suggests that education benefits are crucial for recruiting and retaining talent. Seventy-six percent of respondents agree they are more likely to stay with their employer because of its tuition reimbursement benefit.
To download the full 2019 Working Learner Index Report, click here.
About Bright Horizons
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Source: Bright Horizons
Kristen Raymaakers
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kristen.raymaakers@brighthorizons.com