Retailer Target has announced moves to support its employees looking to boost their skills thanks to a new education assistance program that will be available to both part-time and full-time frontline team members. The program will be extended to the company's more than 340,000 employees who will be able to access more than 250 business-focused courses from more than 40 different schools, colleges and universities thanks to a partnership with Guild Education. The company will also pay up to $10,000 annually for master's programs to help team members increase their skillset.
Chief Human Resources Officer Melissa Kremer spoke further on the new education assistance program saying, "Target employs team members at every life stage and helps our team learn, develop and build their skills, whether they’re with us for a year or a career. A significant number of our hourly team members build their careers at Target, and we know many would like to pursue additional education opportunities. 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. Our team members are the heart of Target's strategy and success, and we have a long history of investing in industry-leading pay, extensive benefits and career opportunities to help our team thrive and have rewarding careers at Target."
Retailer Education Assistance Programs
Target is Offering Debt-Free Access to Education Programs
Trend Themes
1. Employee Education Assistance Programs - Companies can offer education assistance programs to employees as an innovative way to attract and retain top talent.
2. Online Learning - Online courses and programs, such as the one offered by Target, are a disruptive innovation that can make education more accessible and affordable for employees.
3. Business-focused Courses - Offering business-focused courses and programs can help employees develop new skills and competencies that can benefit both the employee and the company.
Industry Implications
1. Retail Industry - Retail companies can use education assistance programs as a way to invest in their workforce and improve employee engagement and retention.
2. Education Industry - Education providers, such as Guild Education, can partner with companies to offer online courses and programs that meet the needs of working professionals.
3. Human Resources - HR professionals can advocate for education assistance programs as part of their employee engagement and talent development strategies.