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The Updated Benefits for Amazon’s Career Choice Program and What They Mean for Your Future

When your life revolves around your regular work schedule and all your responsibilities at home, learning new skills can feel unreachable—you may think you don’t have a lot of options to pursue new career avenues.

This can make you feel stuck, unable to advance on your career path. But if you’re working for Amazon, they’ve changed this reality for you—and even if you’re only on board with them for as little as three months, they’re invested in making sure you get the opportunities you need to learn new skills and upgrade your life.

What Is the Amazon Career Choice Program?

The Amazon Career Choice Program was developed to upskill Amazon employees and empower them to pursue a future outside of Amazon. This innovative program was designed to provide Amazon associates with the opportunities they need to learn a new set of skills and build a career of their choice.

Since Amazon is data-driven, they looked at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine which industries would be most in-demand, offering high-paying positions over the next several years. Based on the data provided, Amazon has created partnerships with third-party educators to empower their employees and guide them onto a new career path.

The Amazon Career Choice Program doesn’t just partner with third-party schools, it also covers the cost of tuition and fees—instead of employees relying on tuition financing or tuition reimbursement, the funds they need to start studying are provided upfront. Some of the industries covered by the Amazon Career Choice program include computer-aided design, aircraft mechanics, nursing, and transportation.

The goal of the program is two-fold: 1) to empower Amazon associates as they pursue their aspirations, and 2) to strengthen the workforces of in-demand industries. While some classes are held in dedicated classrooms across different Amazon facilities, the program also covers online learning and in-person learning at approved partner schools.

When this program began nearly 10 years ago, the goal was to make it easily accessible for all Amazon associates. Some employees may choose to learn new skills to further their careers with Amazon. However, since the program was first introduced, over 50,000 employees have benefitted from the skills learned through the program and moved on to a new career path, allowing Amazon to serve as a steppingstone on their journey.

Who Is Eligible for the Amazon Career Choice Program?

Initially, only full-time employees who had been employed for at least 12 months were eligible for the program. However, Amazon has recently made changes to the eligibility requirements, opening the program up to both full-time and part-time blue badge employees.

The program will be accessible to all the following employees:

  • Hourly non-exempt FC
  • CS
  • Corporate
  • AWS
  • Amazon Fresh Stores
  • Amazon Books
  • Amazon 4-star
  • Amazon Pop Up
  • Amazon Go
  • And certain retail and eligible subsidiary associates

Subsidiaries include:

  • A9
  • A100
  • A2Z
  • Audible
  • Brilliance
  • ComiXology
  • CreateSpace
  • Fabric.com
  • Goodreads
  • Amazon Pharmacy
  • Shopbop
  • Woot

The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2022, and apply to employees within the United States and certain countries outside of the US, like Canada, the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, South Africa, Costa Rica, Slovakia, and Australia. If you have already taken part in the program and have exhausted your annual budget, you will be eligible to reapply after January 1, 2022 provided you continue to meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

How Have Benefits Expanded?

Previously, the program only covered up to 95 percent of tuition and fees (with a yearly maximum) and could only be applied toward certain certificates in qualified fields of study. Their plan to enhance the program came about because employees asked for additional benefits and Amazon listened.

The following are the four main benefit expansions Amazon associates can enjoy:

  1. More Options: Though this program was only available for certain certificates and associate degrees, it is now being expanded to include high school completion/GED, English as a Second Language (ESL), and bachelor’s degrees.
  2. Full Funding: Upgrading from 95 percent tuition coverage, Amazon is now offering to pre-pay up to 100 percent of your tuition (with an annual maximum benefit), so you can pursue anything from a certificate up to a bachelor’s degree. The funds Amazon provides can be used for your tuition, for the cost of your books, and any other fees.
  3. No More Caps on Learning: Amazon previously applied a lifetime maximum on Career Choice benefits. Starting January 1, 2022, that cap will be removed, which means you can continue using your Career Choice benefits throughout your employment with Amazon without a lifetime limit.
  4. Start Faster: Employees no longer have to wait a full 12 months before becoming eligible for the program. US blue badge employees, including those with part-time schedules, may participate in the program after 90 days of continuous employment.

How to Enroll?

Amazon employees can log in to the Amazon Career Choice Program to explore options. After creating an account, you’ll need to apply for your field of study. Once it is approved, you will be able to apply for the classes or courses you’re interested in.

When you’re ready to pursue an alternative career path, you can consider the transportation industry. Not only is it packed with opportunities for advancement, but it also allows you to make an impact as an essential part of the economy. This in-demand field offers a host of opportunities for truck driving careers.

With CDL training at Roadmaster, you can learn the skills you need to obtain a Class A CDL and to become eligible for well-paying truck driving jobs. Roadmaster is an approved school that teaches you how to drive a truck with hands-on training, educates you on what you need to know about rules and regulations, pre-trip inspections, skills and road driving, and helps you with job placement to get you out on the open road in about a month.

You can enjoy scenic views throughout the country while you get paid, enjoy a full benefits package along with job security, and on average, get started with an annual wage of around $62,764* . Benefits packages vary across different truck carriers but as a graduate of Roadmaster, these are just some of the perks you can expect to receive. Get started with Roadmaster Driver School and let the Amazon Career Choice Program cover your tuition for a new and exciting career!