You might be thinking of continuing to work while you study, especially if your goal is to enhance or advance your current career. If so, it’s important that you have a conversation with your employer. You need to talk with them about how to balance work and study and about how they might support you, both financially and through time off work.

Asking an employer for support can be daunting. But remember—by upskilling, you’re benefiting not just yourself, but your employer too.

Asking your employer for support doesn’t have to mean asking for money. Asking for time off or understanding of your study commitments can be just as valuable.

New Zealand employers need people with the right skills and broadened thinking to propel their businesses forward. Especially in 2025, where the skills shortage continues to grow in our workforce, it is even more important for businesses to retain their employees.

Communicating the benefits for your workplace

When starting a conversation with your employer about support, it is essential that you convey how beneficial their support will be both for your study and for the company. You might want to emphasise that:

• A professionally focused postgraduate qualification will transform your thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving, and it will help you develop leadership skills that are invaluable to your employer.
• You will learn from academic and professional leaders and build powerful networks, creating connections that will benefit your employer.
• You will develop advanced skills and gain new insights that will add value to your organisation from day one, allowing you to take what you learn in the classroom and immediately apply it to your workplace.
• Flexible study options will ensure that you can maintain your professional responsibilities alongside your study. Make sure you clearly outline your timetable, study costs, and the time commitment that will be required both inside and outside your working hours.

Your sponsorship options

There are two main ways that your employer can support your study: through company time or financial support.

Company time

If you choose to continue working while studying, you may need to take leave to complete assignments or ask for time away from the office when you have to attend classes. Before you start studying, talk with your employer about study days, unpaid leave, holidays, or time in lieu that you may require.

My employer gives all permanent and fixed-term staff five study leave days per year, and they have covered the full costs of several of my papers. They have been immensely supportive of my studies.

Financial support

Another way that employers can support your studies is financially. This could include your employer:

• paying the full cost or a percentage of your study or tuition fees
• matching what you spend on studying up to an agreed amount
• allowing you to reduce your working hours
• letting you pay back the cost of your study as fortnightly or monthly contributions from your salary
• agreeing to reimburse your study or tuition fees once you’ve completed your qualification or graduated
• giving you a bonus to contribute towards the cost of your study.

Negotiating support

When negotiating financial support with your employer, you may be asked to sign a contract saying you will stay with the organisation for a set number of years after completing your programme. In the survey we ran with students, a postgraduate student told us that they get “lots of support... as well as days off for each paper and my firm will also reimburse two thirds of my fees on completion.” Make sure that you understand the commitment you’re being asked to make and that this fits in with your longer-term career goals.

Many employers already have professional development funding and programmes that you may be able to apply for. One postgraduate student shared that “the majority of the programme was paid by my employer, as well as study leave provisions and a forum in which employees studying at a tertiary level could participate and support others on their study journey.” Make sure to research the options your company has before meeting with your employer.