Target has made it easier for U.S.-based team members to get their degrees starting this fall.
With a new debt-free education assistance benefit, more than 340,000 full-time and part-time employees at stores, distribution centers, and headquarters locations will have access to free undergraduate and associates degrees, certificates, bootcamp programs, textbooks, and fees (and lots more)— with no out-of-pocket costs required.
Target’s partnering with education and upskilling platform Guild Education to provide easy access to more than 250 business-aligned programs from over 40 schools, colleges, and universities.
Target will provide direct payments to their academic institution of up to $5,250 for non-master’s degrees.
It will also fund advanced degrees within the network of schools, paying up to $10,000 annually for master’s programs.
To make it happen, Target is investing $200 million in the program over the next four years to help eliminate student debt for its team—as part of its Target Forward sustainability strategy commitment to promote access to education.
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“A significant number of our hourly team members build their careers at Target, and we know many would like to pursue additional education opportunities.” says Melissa Kremer, chief human resources officer of Target in a statement. “We don’t want the cost to be a barrier for anyone, and that’s where Target can step in to make education accessible for everyone.”
What’s on the syllabus
Team members will have a range of options, including courses for high school completion, college prep, and English language learning as well as select certificates, certifications, bootcamps, associate, and undergraduate degrees.
With schools, colleges, and universities like the University of Arizona, Oregon State University, and historically Black colleges and universities like Morehouse College and Paul Quinn College to choose from, there will be plenty of opportunity to find something that fits staff members’ interests, schedules, and career goals.
For worker looking to continue their education in a master’s program or other field of study in the curated network of schools, Target will provide direct payments to their academic institution to reduce the burden of up-front, costly tuition payments.
Target also raised its starting wage to $15 per hour for all U.S. team members last year.
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