700: Number of Starbucks employees who graduated in May with their degree using their education benefit provided by the coffee giant
Nearly 700 Starbucks employees graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University with 100% of their tuition covered through Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP). The company virtually celebrated its largest graduating class to date, joining nearly 4,500 who have earned their degree through the program.
The number is an indicator of success for a popular employee perk: tuition benefits. The benefit helps employees attain higher education and develop their skills, which can be valuable for both the employer and employee. Research finds that education benefits double as recruitment and retention tools–80% of employees say education benefits would make them more likely to recommend their employers, according to Bright Horizons. Experts also say adding the benefit shows an employer cares about employees’ educational and career development, which workers say is important.
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Starbucks says its program–which it has had in place since 2014–has been a successful venture. More than 14,000 Starbucks workers across the U.S. are currently working toward a degree through SCAP, with more than 80 undergraduate degree options, the coffee chain says. More than more than 20% of those are first-generation college students. And nearly 4,500 total Starbucks partners have earned first-time bachelor’s degrees since the program was announced in 2014.
