BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee launched a program to provide recent high school graduates and adult learners a paid apprenticeship as they earn a degree from Chattanooga State Community College, the health insurer announced Wednesday.
The partnership, called BlueHorizon, will provide participants with a salary of $43,500 on Day 1 and an accelerated associate degree in health sciences. Participants will have an opportunity to become a full-time customer service representative at the state’s largest health insurance company once they finish.
The new program is similar to the BlueSky Institute, which offers students an accelerated computer science degree from East Tennessee State University earned at BlueCross’s Chattanooga headquarters and an IT job offer following graduation.
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BlueHorizon is a response to a clear need at the company. BlueCross hired more than 350 customer service representatives last year to answer questions and concerns from its 3.3 million members.