SAN BERNARDINO >> When they aren’t helping people fulfill their online shopping orders, Amazon employees in San Bernardino are working to fulfill their own dreams thanks to a company program that funds 95 percent of their efforts to attain a degree or certification for high demand careers.
The online retailer has begun a program called Career Choice program to fund higher education for fulfillment center employees throughout the country. It is offered to Amazon associates who have had at least one year of experience working for the company.
Amazon pre-pays 95 percent of tuition and associated fees at accredited schools for courses that lead to certifications and degrees in eligible high-demand fields, such as aerospace, engineering, information technology, computer science, mechanical and electrical trades, healthcare, construction, transportation, logistics and accounting.
Specific careers students have pursued include aircraft mechanics, medical laboratory science, dental hygiene, and nursing, among others.
“An associate can choose to do what they would like with their career choice education,” said Amazon spokeswoman Ashley Robinson. “If they want to continue working with Amazon after getting their certification licence, they will be able to keep their employment and we will really value their continued work with Amazon. But if they choose to pursue an education and career not related to Amazon, that’s great too.”
In July, Amazon opened a dedicated on-site classroom inside its sprawling San Bernardino fulfillment center. It’s one of eight dedicated classrooms opened at fulfillment centers across the country. Amazon has partnered with San Bernardino Valley College, which has provided instructors for the course.
Among the students in San Bernardino is Amazon associate Aaron Floyd, 31, who is pursuing a future career in Accounting. Floyd said the new classroom in San Bernardino is a convenient addition to the facility,
“It allows me to be in a complete classroom setting at the site and that pays major dividends throughout,” Floyd said. “I’m able to get to class on time quickly. I don’t have to worry about parking, and when I finish class, I’m able to go to work my shift.”
Brandy Marion-Jaramillo, 38, is another Amazon associate in San Bernardino who is pursuing a career in massage therapy through career choice.
“I have the flexibility to rotate my schedule to meet my school schedule,” Marion-Jaramillo said. “It’s a really great opportunity for associates to go back to school.”
Marion-Jaramillo said she appreciates having most of her tuition covered by the company.
“It helps out a lot,” she said. “I’m a single mom with two kids so any additional help with school makes it even better.”
Information: amazonfulfillmentcareers.com.