I've been at dell for 6 years now and to date, I've milked about 25k in certification programs from them. These courses/certs mean NOTHING to dell and won't help for a better raise or promotion but, they are resume builders and look good to other jobs. Plus, at the very least you get them to pay for courses you otherwise wouldn't afford, or care to take due to money constraints or whatever.
Two of the courses I've taken are 10k each - so that's 20k right there. The others were each about 2k each. A certificxation means nothing to dell though. you could get the highest sought after xyz and it won't affect your raise, bonus or chances of promotion whatsoever, so might as well just take courses on their dime that other companies 100% WILL value.
Also, since we have a $500 "fitness" reimburstment program, I suggest going out any purchasing $500 worth of weights, keeping them in the boxes, then submitting that receipt to Dell for that $500 reimuburstment. THen go return those weights for a $500 profit.