Cranford – Union College of Union County, New Jersey has entered into a transformative education partnership with Amazon to join the Amazon Career Choice Program. Beginning this fall semester, Amazon will provide its workers pre-paid tuition to attend Union College and learn new skills for career success. Amazon employees can enroll in all Union courses and degrees for this partnership. The company now employs approximately 58,000 people in the state, making it the largest private-sector employer in New Jersey.
Amazon’s Career Choice program is an education benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere. The program meets individual learners who are on their journey through a variety of education and upskilling 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.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Union College to give our tens-of-thousands of New Jersey employees access to pursue the education path that fits their passions,” said Colin Newman, Director of Economic Development for Amazon. “Whether employees are looking to finish their degree at Union College or build on their foundational skills, we’re prepared to meet our employees wherever they are on their educational journey.”
“We’re committed to empowering our employees by providing them access to the education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s with us or elsewhere.” Tammy Thieman, Global Program Lead of Amazon’s Career Choice program. “We have intentionally created a partner network of third-party educators committed to providing excellent education, job placement resources, and continuous improvements to the experience. Today, over 90,000 Amazon employees around the world have already participated in Career Choice and we’ve seen first-hand how it can transform their lives.”
Amazon’s Career Choice program has a rigorous selection process for third-party educators. Union is one of more than 140 colleges and universities strategically selected for the educational partnership.
“Union is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Amazon and provide their employees with a first-rate education at a premiere community college which is focused on social justice,” states Union President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.” This partnership can greatly impact lives and communities by providing Amazon employees the opportunity to work part-time or full-time and receive a degree at the same time. We are also making a positive difference for our state and economy.” Dr. McMenamin noted that Amazon was presented with the 2022 Fiat Lux Award at the College’s 30th Annual Gala. They generously donated $50,000 to support Union students with scholarships to help ensure that their economic status is not a roadblock to their academic success.
The New Jersey State Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari, Union County Manager Ed Oatman, and the Union County Commissioners were instrumental in forging the partnership between Union College and Amazon. According to Senate President Scutari, “I’m happy to have helped facilitate this important partnership between Union College and Amazon. With Amazon being the largest private-sector employer in the State, the opportunity for a college education, funded by Amazon, is one that I hope many Amazon employees in Union County will pursue. They will receive a high-quality education from Union that will open doors to more career and professional opportunities.” Senate President Scutari is a lifelong Linden resident who attended Union College before transferring for more advanced degrees.
Union College is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. Union was named a semifinalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The College operates campuses in Cranford, Elizabeth, Plainfield, and Scotch Plains. In addition to physical campuses, the College offers more than 20 programs that can also be completed online as part of our emerging Virtual Campus. Union enrolls almost 20,000 credit, non-credit, and continuing education students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. For more information, visit www.ucc.edu.
For more information on Amazon’s Career Choice Program at Union, Visit www.ucc.edu/amazon