Back to School and Work: Amazon’s Career Choice Program at UNC Charlotte Fulfills Need for Upskilling
Forward-thinking companies are increasingly recognizing the strategic value of investing in their employees’ education. Amazon’s Career Choice at UNC Charlotte program stands out as a prime example of an organization’s commitment to investment in employees who are also college students. Launched at Charlotte in 2022, the program offers eligible full-time and part-time hourly employees pre-paid tuition, and of fees and textbooks for a wide range of undergraduate educational programs.
UNC Charlotte enrolled nearly 200 Amazon employees through the Career Choice program during the first two years. Students enrolled in the program have achieved an impressive 88% retention rate with 30% recently joining the ranks as new Charlotte alumni.
“We are proud of the value that UNC Charlotte is able to bring to the table for employers interested in including an education benefit as part of their talent development strategy,” said Jennifer Troyer, provost for UNC Charlotte. “Offering a tuition benefit aids in employee retention and skill development, and it makes companies like Amazon an attractive place to work. For the employee, an employer-sponsored tuition benefit program offers a transformative opportunity to pursue higher education and advance their career.”
The Amazon Career Choice Program allows for flexible options where programs are delivered online and on-campus, as well as flexible work schedules to accommodate participation. This flexibility makes it possible for employees to balance work, education and personal commitments.
UNC Charlotte’s School of Professional Studies collaborates with employers to effectively utilize tuition benefit programs. By partnering with UNC Charlotte, employers can think strategically about their tuition benefit investment to develop existing talent, close skill gaps and manage talent to attain organizational imperatives. Those seeking more information about Talent Pathways partnerships can contact Jeffrey Jones, director of Strategic Workforce Engagement at UNC Charlotte (jeffrey.jones@charlotte.edu).