How to pitch executive education to your employer

Professional development courses can push your career forward. Executive education programs are designed for just that — to help you excel.

Through programs offered by top educational institutions, you can enhance your leadership skills, master new technologies, and earn credentials for senior roles.

However, funding for professional development varies across companies. Read on to learn how to evaluate your company's policy and, if courses aren't covered, how to pitch executive education to your employer as a benefit to employee and company growth.

What is an executive education program?

Executive education programs can help professionals become more effective leaders, earn new credentials, and learn new skills.

Executive education courses are approximately 6–8 weeks long and include topics like management strategies, project management tools, data optimization methods, and decision-making skills.

You can also explore programs designed to help women advance in their fields or find courses tailored for specific industries such as higher education, real estate, fintech, healthcare, and human resources.

How to ask your employer to cover your executive education program

Preparation is key in presenting a pitch for executive education coverage. Read on to find out how to ask your employer to fund your professional development.

Check your company's policy on continuous education

Your company may already have a learning and development (LD) protocol in place. Some companies cover up to a certain amount of continuous learning courses or workshops costs.

Reference your company's human resources website or handbook to learn about professional development policies. You can also ask fellow employees if they've ever taken a course paid for by your company.

If your company does not fund continuous education, the following steps can help prepare you to pitch its implementation to your supervisor or a human resources representative.

Identify executive education programs that align with your goals

When exploring executive education courses, consider your needs. The ideal program should benefit your career development goals.

Through professional education, you can:

• Develop leadership skills, whether you're currently a manager or aspiring to become one
• Learn or improve upon skills, such as new technologies, creative presentation strategies, or sales techniques
• Earn a credential that can help you advance your career
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends

Be sure to check the credibility of the programs you're considering. Look to online education platforms like edX, accredited educational institutions, and respected industry organizations.

Think about how your company would benefit

Before you pitch continuous education to your supervisor or human resources representative, prepare a list of how executive education can benefit the company. Use the list below to brainstorm.

Employer advantages of learning and development programs

• Competitive edge: Employees knowledgeable in industry trends and technologies can help drive innovation and growth. Additionally, continuous learning promotes agility and adaptability in employees.
• Employee satisfaction: Employees may feel increased job security when their employers invest in their education. Studying and completing programs can also boost employee confidence, leading to collectively happier teams.
• Employee retention and attraction: Employees who can upskill and advance within their organizations may be more likely to stay with the same company. Continuous education benefits may also be an attractive feature for job seekers.

Gather program information and prepare your pitch

Once you've decided on a program that aligns with your career goals, start building your pitch.

Be sure to include:

• Program title, description, and name of the issuing institution
• Program duration
• Program cost
• Expectations for outcome, e.g., credentials, mastery of a new skill, etc.

In addition to providing program details, prepare responses to the following questions:

• How does this particular program support your career goals?
• How might the company benefit from the skills you acquire?
• How will you make time for this program while managing your current workload?

Present your case to the right person

Identify the appropriate person to whom you should pitch your chosen professional development program. This may be a human resources representative, or you may need to speak directly with your supervisor.

Additionally, consider involving fellow employees or supervisors to show that others are interested in continuous education.

Organize all of the information you've collected throughout this process and determine the best way to present your case. Options include:

• A slide presentation with data
• An email with all details included
• A face-to-face discussion (bring notes to ensure you cover everything)

While there's no harm in hoping for a positive outcome, you should consider how you'll respond if your pitch isn't met with enthusiasm.

If budget limitations are the issue, maybe the company can pay half or at least part of the course costs. You can also ask if professional development can be considered when the budget is next reevaluated.