Amazon Vows $1.2B for Employee Tuition in Strapped Labor Market

Following similar moves by Walmart (see 2107270053) and Target (see 2108040027) in a tight labor market, Amazon said Thursday it will pay full college tuition for front-line workers. Amazon’s $1.2 billion commitment over five years tops Walmart’s by $200 million. Walmart’s $1 billion five-year program is available to about 1.5 million part- and full-time employees. Target’s free tuition program is $200 million over four years for its 340,000 U.S.-based workers. Amazon will fund full college tuition, along with high school diplomas, general educational development certification and English as a second language proficiency certification for over 750,000 operations employees who have been with the company for at least 90 days, it said. The company will cover the cost of classes, books and fees. Amazon will pay employees’ tuition and fees in advance rather than offering reimbursement after coursework completion, it said. An Amazon-Gallup study found that 70% of American workers would switch to a new job if offered free skills training opportunities.