Amazon team urged to sign up for funded training courses during Learning at Work Week 2019

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline has celebrated National Learning at Work Week (13 – 19 May) by urging staff at the site to sign up for a programme that offers funded, nationally-recognised training courses aimed at developing their career.

The Amazon Career Choice programme encourages Amazon associates to pursue training and qualifications in high-demand fields such as engineering, IT, computer science, mechanical and electrical trades, healthcare, construction, transportation, logistics, accounting and more, even if that means a career outside of Amazon.

Amazon pre-pays 95% of tuition and associated fees for the nationally-recognised courses, up to £8,000 over four years.

Fife’s Scot McKeen is one of hundreds of Amazon associates taking part in the programme. He is now encouraging his fellow employees to take part.

Scot has worked with Amazon since 2010 and became a qualified HGV driver this week through Career Choice. Scot said: “The Amazon Career Choice programme has been brilliant for me and I can’t thank Amazon enough for the opportunity to develop my driving skills. I’ve already qualified to drive one class of HGV and I’ve just passed an assessment for another class, which is a real bonus for me and my career.”

“I’d call on everyone who works at Amazon to sign up for the Career Choice programme. It really can boost your career and enable you to progress within Amazon, which is my preference, or with another organisation. It’s a great programme and I’ve loved getting involved.”

Graham Allison, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “We want everyone at Amazon to pursue their dream job and that’s what the Career Choice programme is all about. All of our team should have the opportunity to develop their skills and that’s why we’re offering funded training courses in a range of interests and industries. I’m really excited to see our next group join the Amazon Career Choice programme and congratulate Scot and colleagues on their achievements.”

Amazon was recently named by LinkedIn as the top company in the UK to work for. The LinkedIn Top Companies List 2019, draws on billions of actions taken by LinkedIn members to identify the top companies “where UK professionals want to work now”, taking into account four main pillars: interest in the company, engagement with the company’s employees, job demand and employee retention.