Why Employers Should Fund Debt-Free Education Programs

Most organizations that offer educational benefits require employees to pay upfront for courses. Those with robust savings and prior degrees are usually the ones who take advantage of the benefit. Recent analysis and data from Walmart and other organizations that employ frontline workers suggests that there is a better, more equitable way to offer educational benefits. Employers benefit from attracting talent and retaining more-loyal workers when employees take advantage of this offer.

Providing frontline workers with the education and skills they need to succeed in their current jobs and broader careers is a proven way for employers to bridge a widening economic divide. These programs often have structures and financial barriers that prevent people from taking full advantage of their promise. The US spends $177 billion annually on formal education programs, and the current number is likely even higher.