We all know corporate executives and banking professionals who have enrolled in MBA programs to enhance their existing careers. We all know tradespeople who regularly update and upgrade their skills at community colleges to get regular promotions and raises.

Outside of those examples, though, it seems that "going back to school" as a "mature student" is something that employers and colleagues view as a personal interest or hobby. Or, they view it as advanced planning for a career change rather than a means of adding knowledge-value to an existing job.

The more we talk about lifetime learning, the less it seems that employers are actually embracing the concept as part of their retention strategy. While in-house seminars and training programs are certainly on the rise, how many companies are actually supporting their employees (and would-be employees) in their self-directed efforts to earn diplomas, degrees and certifications?

What does support look like? It looks like time off to study and to write exams. It adds up to partial or even full tuition support. Support shows working students what new opportunities will become available to them. And, what's more, educational support is spelled out in HR policies and procedures that aren't daunting and impossible to meet.

What are your experiences in this area? Do you find more and more candidates are searching for educational support? Are employers looking to provide it?