Organizations across industries are facing tough decisions. Reduction-in-force (RIFs), layoffs, and voluntary separation programs are becoming more common as companies respond to financial pressures, restructuring, and the rapid impact of AI.
Workforce reductions and organizational changes are never easy, but they don’t have to mean lost potential. By investing in workforce retraining programs, companies can ease transitions for impacted employees, protect their brand reputation, and even strengthen their talent pipeline for the future.
For business leaders, how do you manage these workforce transitions without losing momentum, brand equity, or future capability? Here’s what you need to know about how leading companies are turning disruption into opportunity with retraining programs.
What are workforce retraining programs?
Retraining, sometimes referred to as “outskilling,” is a broad term that covers two main scenarios:
- Supporting Laid-Off or Furloughed Employees: Providing education and resources to help former employees develop new skills and transition into different roles or industries.
- Adapting to Organizational Change: When a business undergoes a reorganization or its skill requirements evolve, retraining helps current employees upskill or reskill so they can thrive within a new career framework.
In both cases, the goal is the same: equip people with the capabilities they need to succeed in a shifting job market.
Workforce retraining programs allow organizations to extend all or part of their existing education benefits, like tuition assistance or educational coaching services, for a defined period to impacted employees.
Why companies are investing in retraining programs
In a tight budget cycle, every dollar must deliver measurable impact. This means that companies are making difficult decisions that may include administrative cost-cutting measures like headcount reduction to protect their bottom line.
Verizon cut 15,000 jobs and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts offered voluntary separation to 18% of their workforce. That’s why finance leaders are reevaluating education benefits as a strategic investment. These programs help organizations:
- Protect Brand Reputation: Demonstrate care and responsibility during workforce reductions.
- Reduce Risk: Mitigate legal and reputational risks associated with layoffs.
- Build Future Capability: Reskill employees for emerging role and technologies.
- Leverage Tax Advantages: Many education benefits qualify for favorable tax treatment.
This trend is accelerating. In 2025, job cuts increased by 65%, driven by automation and AI adoption. Strategic companies are responding by investing in retraining programs to help prepare employees for what’s next.
For example, Amazon recently invested $2.5 billion into a new upskilling initiative to help more employees obtain degrees and certificates for in-demand fields with a focus on retraining and rehiring. This was announced right before the company cut 14,000 jobs.
Examples of EdAssist retraining transition programs
Whether that’s filling critical roles internally or supporting employees impacted by RIF, EdAssist has partnered with leading organizations around the world for over a decade to design retraining and transition programs. Our goal is to make transitions smoother and build stronger talent pipelines.
But rather than explaining what these programs may look like, here are a few examples:
Global Snacks and Beverage Company: Transition services program offering up to $5,000 annually in tuition assistance, advising on grants, financial aid, and career planning. This program is available for two years post-employment.
Biotech and Pharmaceutical Company: Education and retraining program offering up to $5,000 and coaching to advance career development within one year of termination.
Financial Services Company: Reskilling benefit program offering up to $9,000 and coaching within 12 months after termination for employees involuntarily impacted by a business restructuring that eliminated their role.
Communications Company: RIF program that extends education assistance benefits for employees impacted by a reorganization, offering up to $5,250 and coaching within 9 months of termination.
Ease the transition with EdAssist
EdAssist by Bright Horizons created a workforce retraining program over a decade ago specifically designed to support employees during transitions that come with RIFs, layoffs, or furloughs. Since then, these programs have grown in popularity because they’re proactive and strategic.
Here’s how EdAssist helps companies retain and reskill for labor transitions and evolving workforce development goals:
Consulting and Solution Design: We partner with clients and key stakeholders across L&D, benefits, and talent acquisition to understand the details of workforce development plans or RIF strategies. This insight allows us to design tailored solutions that address upskilling and talent pipeline needs.
Provider Product: Once we identify desired outcomes, our education design experts match the right learning programs from trusted providers. For non-RIF initiatives, we incorporate pathways that align with retraining and career development goals.
Coaching Support: Our coaches are trained on the organization’s priority skills and roles, as well as featured learning opportunities. They guide employees toward the most relevant options for their career growth.
System: From a system perspective, we’re able to flex and evolve the setup as needs of an organization change. Whether it’s upskilling for emerging roles, supporting career transitions, or building pathways for retraining, we can create tailored learner experiences, custom application flows, and program designs that reflect your specific priorities.
Design a workforce retraining program
Education benefits are often misunderstood as a “soft” perk or cost center, but retraining programs are proving to ease transitions while also delivering measurable ROI, tax advantages, and long-term workforce development outcomes. Retraining transition programs are about equipping people with the right skills for what’s next, whether that’s inside or outside the organization.
With EdAssist, you can turn disruption into opportunity and help your people prepare for what’s next. Connect to design your custom workforce retraining program.
