Amazon has announced a partnership with more than 140 colleges and universities to provide fully-funded college tuition to their more than 750,000 hourly employees.
Those employees will have access to education at Valencia College, the University of Central Florida, University of Florida and five other local and state colleges across Florida.
Amazon, which has a distribution and fulfillment center just south Orlando International Airport just north of Osceola County on Boggy Creek Road, and reportedly offers an average starting wage of $18 per hour, will partner with GEDWorks and Smart Horizons to provide help with GED and English language proficiency training, and other college preparation courses.
“At Valencia College, we’re excited to expand our partnership with Amazon to help provide new opportunities to their employees,” said Kathleen Plinske, Valencia College president, and former leader of its Osceola and Lake Nona campuses. “The growing options available to their employees, which range from Valencia’s English-language classes to our state-of-the-art training in advanced manufacturing as well as a wide range of degree programs, will provide their employees with marketable, in-demand skills and open the door to economic mobility.”
Amazon’s Career Choice program allows employees to participate every year they work at Amazon, and gives them eligibility after only 90 days of employment.
Employees can take classes online, in-person at their local university, or onsite in one of the over 110 Career Choice classrooms located in fulfillment centers in 37 states.
Amazon is offering this as part of its “Upskilling 2025” program (http://aboutamazon.com/ upskilling2025).
“At Valencia College, we’re excited to expand our partnership with Amazon to help provide new opportunities to their employees.”
— KATHLEEN PLINSKE Valencia College president
