VSU Partners With Amazon, The World’s Largest Online Retailer, To Offer Affordable Education

Virginia State University Partners with Amazon’s Career Choice Program

Virginia State University (VSU) has recently announced its partnership with Amazon’s Career Choice program. This program aims to provide opportunities for employees to further their education and advance their careers. Through the program, hourly employees at Amazon who wish to pursue coursework at VSU will receive prepaid tuition and reimbursement for books and fees.

VSU Deputy Chief of Staff, Rodney Hall, expressed the university’s enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “With an Amazon fulfillment center less than 10 miles from campus, the decision to partner with them was easy so those employees can attend VSU and be a part of something greater. Our goal has always been to make quality education more accessible and affordable, and this accomplishes that goal.”

Eligibility and Selection Process

VSU underwent a rigorous selection process to become eligible for the Amazon Career Choice program. The university was accepted based on its ability to fulfill Amazon’s requirements for third-party partner educators. These requirements include assisting employees in completing their degree programs, providing job placement support, and offering an education that leads to career success.

Program Availability

All degree programs offered by VSU are eligible for the Amazon Career Choice program. This ensures that employees have a wide range of options to choose from when pursuing their educational goals.

Empowering Employees through Education

Tammy Thieman, Global Director of Amazon Career Choice program, expressed excitement about the partnership with VSU. She stated, “We’re looking forward to Virginia State University coming on board as an education partner for Career Choice, adding to the hundreds of best-in-class offerings available to our employees. We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether with us or elsewhere.”

Impact and Future Plans

The Career Choice program has already made a significant impact, with over 130,000 Amazon employees worldwide participating in the program at universities across the nation. Amazon is investing $1.2 billion in the United States to upskill more than 300,000 employees by 2025, aiming to move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of promoting quality education and decent work and economic growth.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 4: Quality Education

The article highlights Virginia State University partnering with Amazon’s Career Choice program to provide affordable education opportunities to Amazon employees. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The article mentions that Amazon’s Career Choice program is investing in upskilling employees to help move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs. This relates to SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

The partnership between Virginia State University and Amazon’s Career Choice program aims to provide equal access to affordable and quality education for Amazon employees, fulfilling this target under SDG 4.

Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

Amazon’s Career Choice program’s investment in upskilling employees aligns with the target of reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training by providing them with opportunities for career growth and development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

– Virginia State University partnering with Amazon’s Career Choice program to provide affordable education opportunities to Amazon employees is an indicator of progress towards ensuring equal access to affordable and quality education (Target 4.3).

– VSU offering prepaid tuition and reimbursement for books and fees to hourly employees at Amazon who wish to pursue coursework at VSU is another indicator of progress towards ensuring equal access to affordable and quality education (Target 4.3).

– Amazon’s Career Choice program investing in upskilling employees to help move them into higher-paying, in-demand jobs is an indicator of progress towards reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training (Target 8.6).

Overall, these indicators demonstrate the commitment of both Virginia State University and Amazon’s Career Choice program to achieve the identified targets under SDGs 4 and 8.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: vsu.edu

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