Whether you are thinking about doing a course, browsing or finding your dream one, we know that oftentimes, finances can get in the way of making those dreams a reality.
Here at MasterStart, our goal is to connect learners to relevant and practical coursework that is both beneficial to you, your employer and your industry. Our carefully curated courses are easy to follow and offer a well-executed and practical methodology that is manageable while working full time. Are you ready to take the next step? Here is our “how to ask” action plan when asking your company to pay for your course.
Do your research and be prepared
While you have been doing your homework when researching a course, be ready to answer a few intricate frequently asked questions about it too. By equipping yourself with the necessary information that will help you answer any questions that your employer may have, being prepared will give you the confidence and know-how to answer any questions your boss or HR department may have. This is a chance to show your employer that you have really thought about and are ready to enrol in your chosen course, thus easing any concerns that your employer may have previously had.
Questions to prepare for:
- Why do you want to do this specific course?
- What are the benefits of this course?
- Will this impact your day-to-day work responsibilities and focus?
- What is the duration of the course?
- What are the costs involved with the course?
- How will this course make an impact on your role/company?
Detail the benefits
We may be a bit biased, but we firmly believe that education is an investment – one of investing in people, skills and equipping businesses with industry-relevant and competitive skills to take with them forward. By breaking down into detail how this course will be an asset to your company, you have the opportunity to understand how you plan on implementing the knowledge that you acquire into your everyday role and how you will use it to its fullest potential as you take the journey of online education.
When choosing any of our courses and subject material with MasterStart affiliated universities, it is important to know that you are taking a phenomenal world-class course, led by industry heavyweights in a supportive and structured online learning environment.
Examples of benefits:
- Industry relevance – gaining insights and gathering information as to trends and practices by others, you will have a competitive edge to devising new strategies, improving processes and creating a better understanding of the industry you are in.
- Skills acquisition – fast track your skills, from leadership to planning, our courses have a clear outline of what to expect and what you can gain when taking our online courses.
- Career development – whether you are in the pipeline to be a manager or move to a new level, career growth and development can aid your company in increasing employee loyalty, retention and having the necessary skills in-house to reach the businesses goals.
Getting to the big question
This is often the most daunting part, it’s time to ask. Once you have sufficiently prepared and readied yourself for this moment, set up a comfortable time for you to speak to your boss. If possible, check their calendar availability, ask for a convenient time and take a few minutes beforehand to steady yourself with your pitch and proposal.
It is important to reiterate that even though you are dedicated to your potential new course, you are still and will remain committed to completing your everyday duties and responsibilities throughout the duration of your coursework. We recommend highlighting that you have mapped out your time management, with an emphasis on the effort and research that you have conducted to make sure that your chosen course is aligned with your company’s goals and future roadmap.
As your conversation progresses, there may be the opportunity to share and verbalise that you are committed to progress reports, weekly check-ins or sharing your feedback and learnings with your fellow team members.
Be prepared for a plan B
Sometimes companies may not be in a position to financially support your course, and while this is disheartening and disappointing, when preparing your pitch to your boss, consider what you would do if the answer would be no. Create alternative scenarios where you can negotiate, temporarily take a pay reduction, pay back the money to your company and in the best case, question if they are in a space to contribute and collaborate with you towards your fees to ease the costs on both sides. This is also important when doing your research as to possible payment plans and ways to get your course covered in instalments.
Prepare yourself for the timing of your request, sometimes in the yearly cycle, your company closing the financial year and may need to delay your studies by a few months. It is important to be ready to ask the questions of what can be afforded at the current time to get you enrolled and started as soon as possible.
It is important to demonstrate your loyalty, consideration and very importantly, your initiative when asking your employer to pay for your studies.
Why choose MasterStart?
Our ethos and method are to align ourselves with Africa’s leading providers of executive and business education, with world-class coursework in a unique and personal online learning environment. Our dedicated enrolment team are equipped to answer all of your programme related questions as you prepare yourself for asking your company to pay for your course. Get in touch with us today
Click below to download our easy to use guide to support you as you prepare to pitch why they should pay for your training – FIND OUT MORE
