Amazon selects Shepherd University in W.Va. for career training program

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University has been selected as an education partner by Amazon, which will provide its hourly employees access to more than 80 majors and concentrations through the school.

University president Dr. Mary Hendrix welcomed the partnership and stressed the campus’s convenience to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and northern Virginia populations.

“Amazon shares our commitment to student success, and we look forward to providing quality instructional opportunities to their employees through this innovative program,” Hendrix said.

According to Hendrix, the program provides students with various education opportunities, including pre-paid college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas, and GEDs.

In the U.S., Amazon is investing $1.2 billion to “upskill” more than 300,000 employees by 2025 and help them move into higher-paying, in-demand jobs.

According to Tammy Thieman, director of Career Development Programs at Amazon, the program has a rigorous selection process that chooses partners like Shepherd that focus on helping employees through their education programs, assisting them with job placements, and offering education that leads to career success.

“We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether with us or elsewhere,” Thieman said.

“We have intentionally created a partner network of third-party educators and employers committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience.”

“More than 200,000 Amazon employees worldwide have participated in Career Choice and we’ve seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.”

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