Have you been kicking around getting a certification but got stuck when it came time to pay for it? A great place to start is researching what your organization will reimburse – even if they don't have a formal Education Benefits or reimbursement programs Try the following techniques to secure full or partial coverage of certification prep courses, exam fees, and even re-certification when the time comes.
The 2021 IT Skills and Salary Report by Global Knowledge reports that 39% of IT decision-makers face talent recruitment and retention challenges, and 35% want to develop stronger teams. Earning new IT certifications can prove to your employer that you are dedicated to being the best team member and IT pro you can be, easing the challenge they currently face.
It may not be mentioned as much as benefits like health insurance and paid time off, but many employers will cover the cost of professional development for their employees. An employee's skill set improves with additional training and learning opportunities, so it's a win-win situation when employers encourage employees to participate in professional development opportunities.
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Why it’s Important to Request More Training
Though they are much more affordable than a college course, certifications are not exactly cheap – especially if you’re supporting a family or are in the midst of a career change. But to be at the top of your tech game, you’ll need to improve your professional learning sooner rather than later.
IT pros can accomplish this without breaking the bank by requesting that their organization financially support their IT certification endeavors.
Chauster Offers Both Training and Certifications
Chauster has formed a one-stop shop for IT pros to study for and earn certifications. Chauster has options that fit several different learning types and schedules. And because our training is developed with our exams in mind, you can expect high-quality learning materials.
How to Get Your Employer to Pay for Your IT Certification Training: Use Your Education Benefits
Let's be clear – we do not recommend strolling into your manager's office and demanding they pay for your certification voucher. In contrast, approaching your manager timidly or waiting for them to extend the offer probably won't work either.
Being direct professional and supporting your argument with research and facts is the best way to gain your manager's support in your IT certification journey.
Research by Global Knowledge shows the positive impact certifications have on IT professionals and their organizations. Check out some of these stats:
49% of IT pros saw an improvement in the quality of their work after earning a certification
32% are more engaged in their work after earning a certification
50% of all IT decision-makers believe that certifications close organizational skills gaps
Try the following techniques to secure full or partial coverage of certification prep courses, exam fees, and even re-certification when the time comes.
Know What Funding is Already Available.
Many employers have professional development funding that their employees don't know about. Read your employee handbook or ask your HR representative for options for your job role. If there is an existing program, be sure to grab the details. It's essential to understand any restrictions that may exist, as well as timelines for reimbursement.
Focus on How the Certification Will Help Your Team.
Because we begin this journey with our professional development in mind, it can be easy to only talk about your gain when asking for financial support from your organization. Instead of saying, "I want to become a certified cybersecurity analyst so I can advance my team," try saying, "I want to get certified as a cybersecurity analyst so I can take on more responsibility associated with strategic planning for our digital security posture."
Ask the Program Provider for Support Materials.
Whoever is issuing the certification you're interested in likely has content that can help you complete a professional request for reimbursement. Suppose the provider can share a detailed explanation of the course and certification content, industry statistics supporting the certification's value, or testimonials from happy certified professionals. In that case, you can write an incredibly persuasive argument with minimal effort.
Be Prepared to Address Concerns (but don't introduce them unnecessarily)
You probably know your boss and your work environment well enough to predict what concerns they will have. Be prepared to address those concerns, but don't bring them up unless you are sure leaving them unaddressed will be an issue in the future. For example, you might think your boss will worry that you'll need to leave early some nights and that the department doesn't have the funding. You may bring up the certification course you're interested in, and they may say, "Hm…that looks interesting. Do you close for us most nights during the week, or has Diane taken care of that?" That's a pretty strong clue that they're concerned about your work schedule, so you could reply by talking about it and assuring them your work commitment wouldn't be affected. But if you don't have any reason to be concerned about the potential budget restraint, stop talking. There's no reason to give them something to worry about.
Write a Training Request Letter
You know you want to earn a new IT certification and are ready to bring the idea to your manager. Writing a formal request letter to your manager informing them about the benefits of certification and why you'd like to attend a training is a great way to start the conversation and position your ask.
Here are a few questions your letter should answer:
How does the certification match your job responsibilities or the job responsibilities you want?
How much does it cost, and do you want your employer to pay for some or all of it?
When will you study – on your own time or during work hours?
How will you measure success?
Be Confident
Your professional development is worth fighting for. Get organized and make your case for taking your goals to the next level with your supervisor's support.
Help with Getting Approved
Want more help writing a Training Request Letter? Please complete the form below to download our sample training request letter in an easy-to-edit Word doc.
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