Florida State College at Jacksonville has been selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing the company's hourly employees access to any associate or bachelor’s degree program.
In addition, Amazon employees can enroll in a fast-track career certificate or technical certificate program in industries such as automotive, aviation, health care and information technology.
Amazon says its Career Choice program offers fully-funded college tuition for 750,000 employees after 90 days of employment, with the goal of helping them move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs. Employees can take classes online, in person at a local college or university, or on-site in one of the over 110 Career Choice classrooms located in fulfillment centers in 37 states.
Amazon says it has created more than 30,000 jobs in Florida and employs more than 5,500 people in Jacksonville. It operates six facilities in the region.
FSCJ was among more than 140 partnership that Amazon announced Wednesday. Amazon’s Career Choice program now works with more than 180 education providers across the U.S., the company said.
In Florida, the institutions include the University of Florida, Florida International University, University of Central Florida, Miami Dade College, Hillsborough Community College, Polk State College and Valencia College.
Amazon also will partner with GEDWorks and Smart Horizons to provide employees with free high school completion and GED preparation; Voxy EnGen and goFLUENT to provide English language proficiency training; and Outlier to provide college preparation courses.
FSCJ said the program has a rigorous selection process for education partners. Institutions must be focused on helping employees through their education programs, assisting them with job placements and offering education that leads to career success.
“We are honored to work alongside many local, national and global companies like Amazon to deliver accessible, affordable education that is aligned with industry demand and tailored to meet the unique learning needs of working adults.” FSCJ President John Avendano said in a news release.
