Staffing firm Manpower is offering its associates the opportunity to shore up their future career goals by earning a college degree — on the house.
Through the company’s new program MyPath, eligible U.S. associates can receive full tuition coverage when they pursue an associate or first-time bachelor’s degree through Western International University, an online education provider. MyPath, which launched this May, also offers associates a strengths assessment, coaching and development in tandem with Manpower career opportunities.
The program is among the latest corporate responses to the skills gap crisis many are facing. The initiative seeks to swiftly prepare more adults for the workforce by developing high demand skills outside the confines of the traditional four-year degree model.
“We are seeing skills needs adjust at the flip of a switch, and traditional college courses can be out-of-step with business needs,” said Kip Wright, Manpower’s senior vice president in North America, in a news release. “It’s no wonder people are asking: ‘Is the traditional approach to college worth it? Does it make you employable for the long term?’ ”
Manpower’s senior vice president.
Wright said the fact that a majority of millennials, who are craving development, are willing to pay for the resources with their own money highlighted that present conditions are conducive for new approaches.
Manpower places 475,000 associates in temporary and permanent positions at 30,000 businesses across North America each year. Eligible associates who are actively assigned to work can pursue degrees in fields including accounting, business, behavioral science and information technology.
Bravetta Hassell is a Chief Learning Officer associate editor. Comment below or email editor@clomedia.com.
