# Employee Education and Workforce Training: Unlocking Mid-Market Potential Through Technology and Upskilling

By Ron Stefanski · Published 2025-01-22 · Updated 2026-05-19 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/employee-education-and-workforce-training-unlocking-mid-market-potential-through-technology-and-upskilling
Creator hub: DisruptED

> Mid-market companies that invest in employee upskilling unlock significant competitive advantage while dramatically improving their bottom line

## Key points

- Mid-market companies that prioritize upskilling gain measurable competitive advantages over peers who do not invest in workforce development.
- Technology platforms are democratizing access to employee training, making enterprise-grade learning tools available to smaller organizations.
- Investing in employee education improves retention, reduces hiring costs, and strengthens overall business performance.

Block Field

Integrating education and workforce training as an employee benefit has become a pivotal strategy for talent acquisition and retention. While industry leaders like **Walmart**, **McDonald's**, and **Starbucks** have long championed such programs, mid-sized and smaller enterprises often face barriers to implementation. A [study](https://www.myshortlister.com/insights/tuition-reimbursement-statistics?utm_source=chatgpt.com) found that education reimbursement programs deliver a 129% return on investment, meaning for every dollar spent, companies gain an additional $1.29. This makes the case clear that upskilling is not just a perk but a business imperative.

> Education reimbursement programs deliver a 129% return on investment, meaning for every dollar spent, companies gain an additional $1.29.

How can mid-market companies effectively adopt and benefit from educational assistance programs?

Part two of this episode of "[DisruptED](https://marketscale.com/shows/disrupted/)" features host [Ron Stefanski](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronjstefanski/) continuing to engage with [**Sasha Thackerberry-Voinovich**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashatberr/details/experience/), CEO of [**SkillsWave**](https://skillswave.com/). The discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities mid-sized businesses face when implementing education benefits, emphasizing the importance of aligning these programs with cutting-edge technology and measurable business outcomes.

**Key Takeaways from the Conversation:**

- **Technology as a Driver**: Innovative platforms streamline the implementation of educational and workforce training programs, enabling scalability and efficiency for businesses of any size.
- **Investment with Impact**: Upskilling initiatives not only reduce turnover but also foster innovation and competitiveness in a disrupted workforce landscape.
- **Tailored Learning Paths**: Personalized education tracks align employee career growth with organizational goals, enhancing engagement and retention.

### About the Guest

**Sasha Thackerberry-Voinovich** is a renowned leader in corporate upskilling and education innovation. As the CEO of **SkillsWave**, she bridges the gap between education providers and businesses, driving transformative workforce development. Sasha holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from **Kent State University** and has held key leadership roles at **D2L**, **Louisiana State University**, and **Pearson**, bringing unparalleled expertise to the table.

Tags: Education as a benefit, educational assistance programs, mid-sized businesses challenges and opportunities, Sasha Thackerberry-Voinovich, SkillsWave, talent acquisition and retention

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