How can professionals afford training and professional development?
Professionals can reduce the cost of training and professional development by using free university courses, small-business development programs, online learning platforms, and employer training grants. In Massachusetts, eligible businesses may also receive funding through the Workforce Training Fund Program to help pay for approved professional training.Investing in yourself to grow your skills and improve productivity seems like a no-brainer. Keeping your competitive edge keeps your revenue high, after all. Actually following through on investing in yourself, though? That can be harder.
Investing in yourself to grow your skills and improve productivity seems like a no-brainer. Keeping your competitive edge keeps your revenue high, after all. Actually following through on investing in yourself, though? That can be harder.
Last month I talked about the importance of having your personal productivity team, or all the people who play some role in your life that help you work at peak productivity.
The people on your personal productivity team generally fall into one of three categories. There are the existing members of your work team; think colleagues, support staff, mentors, etc. Doing their jobs well allows you to do your job well. Then there are the supportive people in your personal life (family, friends) who show up for you and help you bring your best self to work.
The third category, we could call professional resources. These are typically people you’re going to have to pay directly for their support. That might include the trusted dog walker or home health aide you hire to help out while you’re at work. Or, the marketing consultant or productivity coach you hire for one-on-one work. The training course you enroll in to learn how to manage your own website or master new AI skills. The prep class that will help you to get a shiny new certification you’d love to have.
What If Cost Didn’t Have to Be the Barrier?
What we haven’t talked about are the actual logistical realities of getting the professional support you need to maximize your productivity.
More specifically, paying for the support that will help you be your most productive self.
There are two main barriers that tend to keep professionals from moving forward with investing in themselves: budget and guilt. Some folks simply can’t afford to pay for optional trainings and development courses, while many others won’t invest in their professional development because there’s always something or someone else they could or should use that money for.
I’d argue that investing in yourself, and in your personal development, is a nonnegotiable part of keeping yourself engaged and your business lucrative. But I also understand that it might feel a lot easier to sign up for a professional training course if you’re not worried or guilty about the cost.
How do you afford the professional services you need for your personal productivity team?
Obviously there are always going to be certain services that your business is going to have to pay a professional full-price to handle or guide you through, like legal or tax prep work. But there are also a ton of no-cost or low-cost resources available to help you build your skills so you’re able to function at your highest level whenever you’re at work.
Free training courses through colleges and universities:
Harvard famously provides free access to dozens of its online courses, covering topics from art history to medicine to theology. Business owners and entrepreneurs might be interested in free classes on contract law, nonprofit finance, cybersecurity, or computer science. MIT’s OpenCourseWare also makes thousands of courses accessible for free.
Small Business Administration programs:
The SBA doesn’t give out grant money but can connect small businesses with tons of useful development resources. Your local Small Business Development Center can offer a variety of free or low-cost training services, for one. The SBA also partners with SCORE, a program that connects business owners with free professional mentors. Especially if you’re a solo entrepreneur looking for some really good professional advice, this could be a great place to find support.
Online learning platforms:
There are a variety of online learning platforms out there, with different subject focuses and cost structures. For example, HubSpot Academy provides free trainings around marketing topics, while Coursera and Udemy offers thousands and thousands of diverse courses taught by academics and individual instructors. If you want to pursue a new certification or just brush up on some technical skills, these platforms can be a low- or no-cost option.
The Workforce Training Fund Program:
If your business is based in Massachusetts, you could be eligible for funding through the Workforce Training Fund Program –– specifically, the WTFP’s Express program. It’s run by the Commonwealth Corporation and funded through Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance. If you’re eligible, you could receive up to $3,000 in funding per calendar year to pay for professional trainings. You get to choose your own trainings from a huge database of approved courses covering a wide range of topics. For example, True Focus is a registered provider in the Workforce Training Fund Program, so you could use WTFP grant money to pay for your spot in my Time Matters Boot Camp 90-Day Program.
The WTFP works on a reimbursement basis. You apply first, wait for approval, complete your training, and then submit proof of your payment and completion of the course. Eligibility is limited to businesses/owners that are located in Massachusetts, have fewer than 100 employees, and pay into the state’s Unemployment Insurance system. It’s also important to note that you must submit your application at least 21 days before your training starts. You’ll need to submit a few pieces of documentation with your application, so give yourself time to get everything together.
Click here to learn more about the Workforce Training Fund Program, including specific information about FAQs and how to apply!
Ready to invest in your future self and enjoy a productive fall?
Let me walk you through the specific steps to take control of your time management once and for all! Join me starting September 21 for Time Matters Boot Camp 90-day program. Through 90 days of coaching and support, you’ll create your customized toolkit for targeted productivity.
If you’re hoping to use a Workforce Training Fund Program grant to pay for your training, make sure to submit your application to WTFP by August 31st!
Be well,
Sarah
FAQs About Resources for Paying for Time Management Training
What is the Workforce Training Fund Program?
The Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) helps eligible Massachusetts businesses pay for employee training. Through its Express Program, qualifying businesses can choose from approved training courses and receive reimbursement for eligible training costs.
Who is eligible for the Workforce Training Fund Program?
According to the program details covered in this article, eligibility is limited to Massachusetts businesses and business owners with fewer than 100 employees that contribute to the state’s Unemployment Insurance system. Businesses should confirm current eligibility requirements before applying.
Can the Workforce Training Fund Program pay for time management training?
Yes, eligible businesses can use Workforce Training Fund Program funding for approved courses offered by registered training providers. True Focus Coaching is a registered provider, which means eligible participants may be able to use WTFP funding toward approved True Focus training programs.
Are there free or low-cost ways to invest in professional development?
Yes. Professionals can find free or affordable learning opportunities through universities, Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and online learning platforms. Massachusetts businesses may also qualify for Workforce Training Fund Program funding, making certain approved professional training more affordable.
