Charter Communications Inc. announced today it will pay 100% of tuition costs for full-time employees who pursue select college degrees and short-term certificates through its new Charter Education Benefit, offered in partnership with Guild.
The new benefit will be available to more than 101,000 Charter Communications employees, giving them tuition-free access to more than 300 online programs and degrees from more than 30 universities and learning providers including eCornell, Purdue Global, the University of Denver, Ohio University and Spelman College. Employees are being encouraged to enroll in programs in high-growth areas for Charter including Operations Management, Marketing, Project Management and Technology.
Included in the offering are undergraduate and associate degrees, as well as high school diplomas, college prep courses, certificates, bootcamps, and English language learning programs. Charter employees who regularly work 30 or more hours a week will be eligible for the benefit on the first day of their employment.
The Charter Education Benefit will be organized and delivered through Guild, one of the nation’s largest managers of upskilling, coaching and employee education assistance programs.
Charter, one of the nation’s major broadband connectivity providers and cable operators, also will cover up to $10,000 per year for employees to pursue select graduate degrees, as well as undergraduate degrees that fall outside of the Guild catalog. As part of the program, Charter will cover qualified program-related expenses such as books, supplies and enrollment fees, and Guild will assist employees with the application process.
“Charter has always been a great place to build a long and fulfilling career, for both those with and without college degrees,” said Paul Marchand, Charter’s Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, in a news release. “Our employees earn competitive wages, receive high-quality and affordable benefits and now, with the new Charter Education Benefit, they can pursue a tuition-free college degree. Creating meaningful opportunities for career mobility results in a more knowledgeable workforce, which ultimately benefits our customers as well.”
“Charter is spearheading what it means to unlock career opportunity in the communications industry, providing best in class programs, support and resources for their employees to learn and advance in their careers,” said Rachel Romer, CEO, Guild. “Guild is looking forward to partnering with Charter on this strategic investment in their workforce.”
With this latest partnership, Guild, founded in 2015, further expands its Guild Career Opportunity Platform™, which enables companies to offer their employees various education and learning programs, career development opportunities, and one-on-one coaching. Its roster of partners includes several of the nation’s largest employers, including Walmart, Chipotle, Discover, Hilton, Lowes, Taco Bell, Target, The Walt Disney Company, and healthcare systems like Providence Health and UCHealth.
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