VIBE Awards 2023: Best Companies for Professional Development Benefits

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From tuition reimbursement to formal mentorship programs to leadership training, the advantages you gain from a company’s learning and development benefits can’t be understated—no matter where you are in your career. And everyone wins: Employees develop new skills that can help them grow, and businesses foster an environment that values internal mobility.

Professional development is just one of the categories we spotlight in the 2023 VIBE Awards, which we created to showcase companies on The Muse with the strongest employee benefits programs. “VIBE” stands for “voted in by employees” because our methodology combines proprietary data about our partners and votes from their employees, who are asked to rank the strength of their company’s perks and benefits. For each of the seven VIBE Awards categories—which also include parental benefits and work flexibility—we feature winners from small, medium, and large businesses.

People at Momnt, a small company winner, appreciate how seriously the fintech firm takes learning and development. Says one team member, “We have an awesome team specifically dedicated to L&D. There is manager training (where everyone is flown in and meets in person for two days), lunch and learns, and a lot of support for feedback and growth.”

Among the medium- and large-size company winners, Hitachi Energy stands out for providing a variety of growth opportunities, including programs tailored to recent grads and women. “I was nominated and graduated from a program that accelerates female leaders at the organization. I gained many insights and skills from the program and have greatly benefited professionally and personally,” says one participant.

Read on for the full list of winners in the professional development category.

Small Companies

Good Apple

Who they are: This independent ad agency works with clients in a range of industries, from fashion to healthcare.

What employees are saying: “Every single conversation I have with my manager is focused on my growth and development. I’ve never once been told to adjust my growth expectations, and they truly work to make sure I have the opportunities to expand my knowledge base. Plus, managers can meet with a professional coach twice a month, which has improved my managerial skills immensely.”

Momnt

Who they are: This fintech company offers a platform that businesses and consumers can use to streamline digital lending and payments.

What employees are saying: “I am able to have open conversations with anyone, regardless of their department. For example, I have learned so much from our systems admin team and the merchant success department. People in executive positions are open-door advocates, and the Director of Learning and Development even offered to provide leadership training to further my degree!”

Pax8

Who they are: Pax8’s mission is to be the world’s favorite place to buy cloud products.

What employees are saying: “We have a complete platform called Pax8 Elev8, which has courses you can take to upskill in many different areas no matter what position you have in the company. We also have a brilliant mentoring program, where we can link up with employees who are more experienced or reach out to newer employees to help guide them in their career goals. It’s so lovely to feel supported and to get to know amazing people with so much experience in the tech industry.”

Mast-Jägermeister US

Who they are: This spirits brand imports and distributes premium liquors and spirits in the U.S. and is known for its namesake herbal liqueur.

What employees are saying: “As part of onboarding, employees get an opportunity to take a personality test and train with a performance coach. There is always room for growth and opportunity to develop here, and we even get funding toward education of our choice. The company has even paid for me to participate in an executive leadership course.”

GameChanger

Who they are: This tech company and app helps youth sports teams stay connected, live stream games, keep score, and more.

What employees are saying: “GameChanger supported my move from engineering to product management with mentorships and certification programs that were funded entirely by the company.”

Medium & Large Companies

DTCC

Who they are: DTCC works at the center of the world’s financial markets, bringing both innovation and stability to the entire post-trade lifecycle.

What employees are saying: “There have been so many leadership and professional training courses that I have taken over my 35 years working for DTCC. I have always been encouraged by my management team to attend these trainings and they have made a huge difference in my career. I don’t think I would be at the level I am now without them.”

Visa

Who they are: Visa facilitates more than 259 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities each year.

What employees are saying: “Visa University is a great hub for everything you’d ever want to learn about to help grow your career and personal development. I recently changed roles and upon my transition, I was given a plethora of training pathways to help get me started on a successful path forward for continued growth. Anything from Harvard Business School to LinkedIn Learning to Degreed to in-house trainings are right at your fingertips!”

Hitachi Energy

Who they are: Hitachi Energy is advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible, and secure.

What employees are saying: “I have participated in the Power+ Program, a new graduate rotational program that has exposed me to several of the company’s business units as well as a tight-knit community of other new graduates and young professionals. It has significantly contributed to my engagement with the company’s overall mission as well as to my own personal and professional development.”

Kinaxis

Who they are: This software company provides supply chain planning solutions to industries ranging from aerospace to consumer products.

What employees are saying: “We have free use of LinkedIn Learning, which has helped me develop some soft skills. All my professional certification and membership costs are reimbursed—a significant financial burden off my plate.”

Thomson Reuters

Who they are: Thomson Reuters provides data and insights to professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media industries.

What employees are saying: “In April, our company hosted an entire day that was dedicated to learning about AI. It was great to learn about something that is so dominant and growing right now around the world.”

Warner Bros. Discovery

Who they are: This global media and entertainment company brings TV, film, sports, news, and gaming to millions of people around the world.

What employees are saying: “The learning and development tools are one of WBD’s biggest strengths. I have participated in several workshops and sprints throughout my career here and each one of them has made an impact on a personal and professional level. The speakers are top-tier and the information is really powerful.”