Amazon is expanding a program that pre-pays 95 percent of employees' tuition for courses related to high-demand fields as it has built an on-site classroom at its Chattanooga distribution center.
The Seattle-based online retailer plans to unveil its new classroom at its Enterprise South industrial park facility today.
The purpose-built classroom has high-end technology features and glass walls to inspire others to participate and generate encouragement from peers, the company said. Employees will use the classroom to participate in college classes, industry certifications courses, college readiness programs and business skill seminars.
The Amazon Fulfillment Center in the Enterprise South industrial park in Chattanooga."These types of intentional partnerships play an important role in our Drive to 55 initiative to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with a degree or certificate beyond high school from 32 to 55 percent by 2025," said Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in a statement.
Classes are taught by Chattanooga State Community College instructors.
"Chattanooga State remains ready to partner with business and industry leaders to help educate our local workforce, and the Career Choice Classroom at Amazon is a great example of what is possible," said Dr. Flora Tydings, CSCC's president.
The Career Choice Program benefits employees regardless if the skills they pursue are relevant to jobs at Amazon.