If you’re ready to grow your skills but worried about the cost, you’re not alone. Investing in your career doesn’t have to mean paying for everything yourself.
Many companies are willing — and even eager — to sponsor employee education, training programs, or professional development opportunities.
You just have to know how to get your employer to pay for your education or professional development — and how to confidently make the case.
Whether you’re pursuing an online certificate, a professional certification, or a specialized skills course, here’s your step-by-step guide to securing employer support for your growth.
Before approaching your manager or HR team, come prepared. Start by gathering key details about the course you want to take:
At the same time, check if your employer already offers education benefits like:
You might find that your company already has a policy in place to support continuing education — which can make your request even easier to approve! Coming prepared shows you’re serious — and makes it easier for your manager to say yes. Review your employee handbook, HR portal or intranet for details, and be ready to reference any programs when you present your case.
If you’re wondering how to ask your employer to pay for professional development successfully, the key is to focus on what’s in it for them.
Explain how your new skills will:
To make your case even stronger, where possible, tie your growth to specific company goals, KPIs or priorities.
Example:
"With this data analytics certificate, I’ll be able to build more accurate dashboards, helping our team make faster and better data-driven decisions."
And if you’re not sure how to start the conversation, we’ve made it easier — you'll find a free email template at the bottom of this page to help you confidently ask your employer for support!
Timing can make all the difference.
Here are smart moments to bring it up:
Linking your ask to your past contributions and future goals will strengthen your case.
Vague requests are easy to ignore.
When requesting professional development support, be clear about:
Offer to provide additional information and emphasize that you’re committed to applying what you learn back into your work.
Be ready to answer things like:
Having answers ready will show you’ve thought through all angles.
If you’ve been wondering how to get your employer to pay for your education or professional development, remember: asking for support isn’t just about you.
It’s about investing in stronger teams, better outcomes, and the future success of your organization.
You deserve to keep growing — and your company can be part of that journey! Don’t be afraid to advocate for your development — your initiative today can open doors for your future.
If you're ready to take the next step, ASU CareerCatalyst offers a wide range of flexible, online certificates and courses designed to help you build in-demand skills and advance your career. Whether you're looking to strengthen your leadership abilities, dive into data analytics, sharpen your project management skills, or explore another growing field, we have a program to help you reach your goals.
Explore ASU CareerCatalyst programs today and find the course that will help you take your career to the next level!
Writing the first email can feel intimidating — so we created a professional, customizable email template you can use! Feel free to personalize the message based on your relationship with your manager and your team’s goals.
Subject: Request for Professional Development Sponsorship
Hi [Manager's Name],
I hope you're doing well!
I would like to request support for a professional development opportunity that aligns closely with my role and our team’s goals. I’m interested in enrolling in [Course Name] offered by [Provider Name], which focuses on [brief skillset or area, like data analytics, project management, leadership].
The program costs [cost] and is [online/self-paced/hybrid], meaning I’ll be able to complete it without disrupting my work responsibilities.
I believe the skills I’ll gain will directly benefit our team by [specific benefits — improving workflows, driving innovation, solving business challenges], and I’d be happy to share what I learn with the team once I complete it.
Would it be possible for the company to sponsor this opportunity? I'm happy to answer any questions or provide more information!
Thank you so much for considering my request.
Best,
[Your Name]