HRO Today’s Post

🔍 Unlock Your Potential with Employer Education Benefits! 🎓For many adults aiming to return to school, the cost of higher education can be a significant barrier. However, there's a powerful solution: employee education benefits. These standout programs highlight employers' commitment to the personal and professional growth of their workforce and serve as a vital tool for attracting and retaining top talent. 🌟 Did you know? Nearly 50% of companies in 2022 offered educational benefits, ranging from tuition reimbursement and direct payment of tuition fees to educational grants or scholarships. Some even provide student loan repayment assistance and partnerships with educational institutions for discounted tuition rates for employees and their families. Understanding these programs can open doors to financing your education. Don’t let costs hold you back—explore your options and take the next step toward your future! 🔗 Learn more and start your journey today: https://lnkd.in/gwnCBbrh #UMassGlobal #EducationMatters #EmployeeBenefits #LifelongLearning #CareerGrowth #InvestInYourFuture

I have been troubled by yesterday's article in the Guardian by Simon Jenkins and the claims that it contains. I have written to the Guardian, but as they limit submissions to 300 words, I'm sharing my response in full here... After an intense week of preparing for the return of our students, I was dismayed to read Simon Jenkins’ article (13th Sept) on the state of universities. Universities are in a dire place yet no mention is made of the impact of the cost of living crisis on student mental health. As the value of the maintenance loan has declined, there is a noticeable impact on students who are effectively living on a low income. Changes to the student loan, now repaid over 40 years with an interest rate well above baseline, means that what students pay for their education is soaring. Students see their interest growing regularly on their loan statements and these figures have detrimental impact on them. This problem is with policy and Student Finance, yet blame is laid squarely at the doorstep of universities. I am acutely aware that there is little public and press support for our sector and for the significant layoffs currently being imposed remain under-reported. If there was wider support, such redundancies would be resisted and mourned at a popular level. What this shows us is that higher education is not valued as part of British identity in the way that other industries and occupations are. Little attention is being paid to the scale of the problem and Jenkins’ article compounds limited thinking. The impact of the loss of universities won’t just be on academics: estates staff, support staff (including those trained in mental health provision), libraries staff, catering staff and those highly experienced in digital literacy, pedagogy and educational sustainability are also losing theirs. This is a profound loss of knowledge of experience from the sector and exists in additional to the loss of subject expertise. Many in higher education are proud of their work and highly invested in what they do. They value education, they care about the future of our students, and they care about their students’ wellbeing. They are also mindful of opportunities for creativity and for the chance for students and graduates to define and make a meaningful life. It pains me to see higher education, at the start of the academic year, being reduced to economics, and to the question of what is “value for money” (a concept notably started by the Conservative government). There is no hesitation in Jenkins’ article to propose that much of higher education needs to be abandoned in favour of an increasingly instrumentalized training, without stopping to ask whether this very idea may also be connected to the decline of student mental health combined with the pressure of repaying life-impacting loans. #theguardian #highereducation https://lnkd.in/eRPjg2dE

HR leaders: did you know that 3 in 4 eligible employees say their employer’s tuition reimbursement benefit makes them less likely to quit? Tuition reimbursement is a major opportunity to boost retention and recruitment, cultivate inclusivity, and tap into up to tax incentives, since Section 127 allows employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax-free to help cover workers’ educational expenses and student loan repayment. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6KhjGjs

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Summary Purpose of This Regulatory Action: The regulations are intended to address growing concerns about educational programs that, as a condition of eligibility for title IV, HEA program funds, are required by statute to provide training that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs), but instead are leaving students with unaffordable levels of loan debt in relation to their earnings, or leading to default. GE programs include nearly all educational programs at for-profit institutions of higher education, as well as non-degree programs at public and private non-profit institutions such as community colleges. Specifically, the Department is concerned that a number of GE programs: (1) Do not train students in the skills they need to obtain and maintain jobs in the occupation for which the program purports to provide training, (2) provide training for an occupation for which low wages do not justify program costs, and (3) are experiencing a high number of withdrawals or “churn” because relatively large numbers of students enroll but few, or none, complete the program, which can often lead to default. We are also concerned about the growing evidence, from Federal and State investigations and #quitam #lawsuit lawsuits, that many GE programs are engaging in aggressive and deceptive marketing and recruiting practices. As a result of these practices, prospective students and their families are potentially being pressured and misled into critical decisions regarding their educational investments that are against their interests. For these reasons, through this regulatory action, the Department establishes: (1) An accountability framework for GE programs that defines what it means to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation by establishing measures by which the Department will evaluate whether a GE program remains eligible for title IV, HEA program funds, and (2) a transparency framework that will increase the quality and availability of information about the outcomes of students enrolled in GE programs. Better outcomes information will benefit: Students, prospective students, and their families, as they make critical decisions about their educational investments; the public, taxpayers, and the Government, by providing information that will enable better protection of the Federal investment in these programs; and institutions, by providing them with meaningful information that they can use to help improve student outcomes in their programs. The technical definition of gainful employment is paid employment for not less than 30 hours per week for a period of no less than 12 months. DEEP6DIVERS 🏴☠️ Christopher Martin 🇺🇸

Over in Australia, big strides are being made to ease student debt and pay students to go on placement! It makes us wonder, what if the UK followed suit? Could similar initiatives help smooth the transition from university benches to career ladders across various sectors?   How might these policies impact our up-and-coming professionals? Would easing financial pressures early on lead to a more vibrant and diverse workforce?   Lots of questions to think about! We'd love to hear your thoughts on how this approach could reshape the career journey for UK students. Drop a comment below! 🗨️   You can read the full article over on Wonkhe here for more insights: https://lnkd.in/ee27ucQs   Here at Step Recruitment, we have lots of students ready to take on a placement. If you're interested in taking on a student, visit our website to find out more about how we can help you 👉 https://lnkd.in/e68HsKKp   #graduaterecruitment #graduatejobs #graduateopportunities #studentdebt #workplacements #financialaid #studentemployment #studentopportunities #workforcedevelopment #studentlife #UKstudents #studentfinance

Nearly 40 percent of those who enroll in higher education never complete, often leaving them with student loan debt, lost wages from time spent in college, and no benefit of the earnings premium associated with degree attainment. These so-called "some college, no degree" students may find the path to employment difficult or reach a wage ceiling quickly in the labor market. But what do we know about the employment outcomes of these "some college, no degree" prime-age adults? In this Regional Matters, posts that examine local, regional and national data that matter to the Fifth District economy and our communities, Stephanie Norris, a senior research analyst, and Laura Ullrich, a senior regional economist, explore the "some college, no degree" population, their labor force participation and employment, and the need for more detailed and higher quality data to better understand this population and their labor market outcomes. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/46j8KYR #RegionalMatters #CommunityColleges #Education

Lets talk #highereducation With a career spanning over 19 years, I've been dedicated to fostering student success in EdTech, spanning K-12 and higher education. Embracing the role of a "lifelong learner," I see myself as a perpetual student. Navigating my future as an academic with an Ed.M from Johns Hopkins University, I'm deeply engaged in understanding the unfolding challenges in higher education. This extends beyond the perspective of an aspiring student to that of a seasoned professional who has served institutions for nearly two decades. The challenges in higher education today are multifaceted, stemming from self-inflicted circumstances and evolving perspectives on collegiate education. This narrative explores the critical juncture where higher education stands and sheds light on issues casting shadows over traditional pathways to advanced learning. Enrollment Dilemma: Fewer students are enrolling in higher education institutions as the allure of knowledge is overshadowed by the specter of overwhelming student debt. The rising cost of education and the fear of a lifelong financial burden deter many aspiring scholars. Enrollment in college is now at 2006 figures, with a national decline of 3.6% of Fall 2023 enrollment (source: CNBC). Current figures are now the same as 2006 Fall enrollment. Debt Dilemma: Student debt has reached unprecedented levels, casting a shadow over the dreams of countless individuals. The fear of years, if not decades, of repayment has led many to reconsider pursuing higher education, stifling individual potential and posing a challenge to our nation's intellectual growth. Perception Dilemma: The evolving perception of Return on Investment (ROI) is a crucial aspect contributing to this shift. The younger generation scrutinizes the benefits against potential financial strain. As the labor market transforms, so does the perceived value of a traditional degree. Labor Shortage and Inflation: The current labor shortage and inflation complicate matters. The traditional promise of a stable career post-graduation is no longer guaranteed. The economic landscape shifting prompts prospective students to question the practicality of investing in higher education. New Horizons: The emerging generation redefines success beyond a degree, with a keen eye on fiscal responsibility. There's a palpable desire to explore alternative paths offering skill acquisition without the burden of lifelong debt, challenging norms set by previous generations. It's time for a collective reassessment of the higher education system, making it more affordable, relevant, and aligned with evolving student needs. Let's embark on a journey to redefine the narrative, ensuring the pursuit of knowledge remains a beacon of opportunity for all. #HigherEducation #StudentDebt #FutureOfWork #EducationRevolution

Investing in your team's future is a win-win! 🎓 Offering tuition reimbursement not only attracts top talent but also boosts employee retention, skills, and morale. Plus, it strengthens a company’s reputation and comes with tax benefits. Let’s grow together! 🚀 #EmployeeGrowth #TuitionReimbursement #InvestInPeople

Work-study is a form of federal financial aid that's offered to some students who have financial need, allowing those students to work at part-time, on-campus jobs and earn between $2,000 to $5,000 per year. #GreatCollegeAdvice #WorkStudy #FinancialAid

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference