We don't pay for your continuing education

Shocking:

Half of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) participating in a recent survey developed by Robert Half Finance and Accounting report that their organizations do not reimburse staff for the continuing education credits required [emphasis mine] to maintain the professional certifications of their staff members.

I guess there are two ways of looking at this.

1. Employers need to get on the ball. Isn't it ironic for an employer to demand that a job applicant have a certification (like a CAE or CPA or CMP) and then not support that new hire's professional certification by paying for their CEUs?
2. Associations, the single largest group of adult education sponsors, need to realize that employers aren't paying for all attendees' participation. This may need to be accounted for in the way that we market, price and deliver continuing education.

The article goes on to say:

“While education benefits rarely are the sole criterion for accepting a position, they can tip the scales in an employer’s favor in a competitive hiring environment.”

Personally, I would never work for an association or company that did not financially support my professional development. It's a deal-breaker. Maybe that's the GenX in me talking.

Tagged: Association; Association Management; Associations; CAE; certifications; Certified Association Executive; CEUs; continuing education