The Masters degrees
have been specifically designed to maximize
the benefits realized by companies sponsoring their employees to
undertake the Masters. These benefits include:
Improved productivity and staff loyalty
The Masters degree is unique because passing industry examinations and
achieving industry certification is an integral and mandatory part
of the assessment process.
A recent survey conducted by International Data Corp (IDC) found
that:
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78 percent of companies experienced more
productivity from their certified employees and 92 percent realized
financial benefits by having certificate holders on staff.
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Both internal and external customers benefited
from certification because it provided evidence of IT support
staff's qualifications and ability to perform according to recognized
industry standards. Non-technical clients found this especially
reassuring and IT support companies would be well served to
emphasize that they have certified employees on-staff.
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Demonstrated Return On Investment (ROI)
If companies are going to invest in the development of their staff,
they are entitled to receive proof of what learning has occurred.
The Masters Degree achieves this by ensuring that all facets of the course
are subject to a rigorous assessment process. In addition, the mandatory
requirement that all students achieve industry certification serves
as independent validation that an individual has demonstrated the
skills and abilities required to complete the certification program.
Reduced costs
One of the major costs of training is the disruption, reduction
in customer service and lost opportunity cost that staff incur because
that are away from their job on training courses. This Masters Degree is
designed to minimize employer costs because all study including
workshops, is completed after hours or on weekends.
Improved company performance
Investments in work force training have long been tied to improvements
in employee productivity, but the American Society for Training
and Development (www.astd.org)
now says training predicts a company's financial performance. According
to findings from a report of training outcomes at 575 publicly held
companies that ASTD released last year, firms that invested $680
more in training per employee than the average company in 1996,
1997 and 1998 improved their total stockholder return by six percentage
points the following year.
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