Is your business missing out on a crucial avenue for learning and development?
When it comes to human capital development, internal teams and external training vendors are vital resources to have. However, if you don’t have the budget for your own university like some large corporations, there is another valuable resource you may be overlooking: higher education.
Even if your training function is kept in-house, there are still numerous ways to benefit from establishing relationships with one or more higher ed institutions beyond simply curriculum-related needs.
Higher ed Is not a monolith
It’s essential to understand that higher education is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Each institution, whether it’s a small liberal arts college, a research-focused university, or a community college with professional training offerings, brings unique benefits to corporations.
While many schools are expanding their programs, it’s crucial for institutions to stay true to their core values and offerings rather than trying to be all things to all people. This approach is key to their overall effectiveness.
5 ways corporations can benefit from relationships with higher ed
So, how can higher education contribute to your company’s success? Here are five distinct ways that corporations can leverage relationships with higher education:
1. Training and upskilling: With the rise of alternative credentials like microcredentials and badges, corporations have more agile pathways for training and upskilling employees.
2. Employee retention: Investing in workplace learning can significantly impact employee retention, showcasing the importance of providing educational opportunities to retain top talent.
3. Research and innovation: Collaborating with research universities can give companies access to cutting-edge research and technology to stay ahead in their industries.
4. Facilities access: Local colleges and universities can offer facilities for company training, events, and team activities, providing valuable resources for organizations.
5. Finding and influencing future talent: Building relationships with higher education institutions can help companies shape the future workforce and establish pipelines for recruiting top talent.
If you’re interested in exploring partnerships with specific colleges or universities, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to make introductions within my network.
