Detroit City Wire

Research emphasizes that education benefits are valuable for both employees and employers, aiding in upskilling and reskilling. Many companies view these benefits as strategic investments rather than expenses, acknowledging their significant return on investment through improved recruitment, retention, and productivity.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, a member of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), commissioned a Bridging The Talent Gap (BTTG) Employee Survey for Henry Ford Health in August 2024. Henry Ford Health offers a substantial range of care services and provides tuition reimbursement among its employee benefits.

The BTTG Employee Survey seeks to help employers by examining employees' perspectives on educational goals, awareness of education benefits, and obstacles to accessing these benefits. Conducted online, the survey takes about 15 minutes.

In collaboration with the Detroit Regional Health Care Talent Collaborative, the chamber supports health systems to address workforce needs. The chamber previously facilitated a BTTG survey for Henry Ford Health in 2022. The survey found that a lack of awareness about educational benefits is a persistent challenge, as less than half of workers surveyed knew about such benefits.

In 2024, the survey's scope widened to include a more diverse employee base, which increased participation significantly. This expansion allowed for a better understanding of why employees weren't using education benefits and how to support those interested in education advancement.

Henry Ford Health utilized the second survey to adopt a more dynamic approach. The survey combined traditional questions with custom queries based on past trends and present workforce needs. For instance, questions were tailored to assess interest in training for high-demand areas.

CAEL compiled the survey data and presented actionable recommendations to the chamber and Henry Ford Health. Notably, 30 team members enrolled in a medical coding cohort. Additionally, 328 employees showed interest in Michigan Reconnect, a program supporting adult education, while 493 employees sought guidance from the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Detroit Reconnect education navigator.

The chamber plans to fund a dedicated navigator position for Henry Ford Health due to the high demand for these services and aims to extend similar support to other health systems.

The survey revealed that more than half of the respondents were interested in education resources, reflecting a strong demand for further education. Recommendations included promoting awareness of educational benefits, simplifying access processes, and offering varied learning opportunities tailored to employees' career goals.

To learn more about arranging a BTTG Employee Survey, contact Christi Taylor at the Detroit Regional Chamber. For new partnerships or additional CAEL services, contact Doug Heckman.