Usually earning the college degree comes first, and then the job.
But for employees at Deerfield Beach-based auto giant JM Family Enterprises, just working at the company can entitle them to full tuition at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
JM Family, a $15 billion diversified automotive company, is the first employer in FAU’s new program that will pay full tuition and fees.
JM Family’s 4,300 employees, including 1,700 in Deerfield Beach, can take as many courses as they want with no upfront payment required, according to the company and FAU. The program also covers books and fees, and many classes are available online.
Many South Florida companies — including JM Family — offer tuition reimbursement programs where a worker can get partially paid back after completing a course or degree.
But JM Family said it wants to remove obstacles, which may include a full-time job, busy family life and cost of tuition, for employees who want to pursue new learning or earn a college degree.
While JM Family says the move is more about continuous learning, the new program could help the company attract younger workers. JM Family launched a $150 million renovation of its Deerfield Beach campus — in part to attract new generations.
“At JM Family, we believe it’s important to foster an environment of continuous learning so our associates are constantly building capacity, remaining agile and well-positioned for changes in the marketplace,” said Brent Burns, president and CEO of JM Family, who is also an FAU alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees.
Employees are limited in courses chosen to those that align with the business needs of JM Family. Eligible coursework includes undergraduate degrees in accounting, marketing, management, and computer science. Graduate offerings online include master of business administration, master of accounting or tax, and certifications in big data analytics, the company said.
JM Family is among Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” ranking No. 17 in the country on the 2017 list. The company has wide-ranging employee benefits that include on-site medical clinics, fitness membership and a pension plan.
Other employers nationwide known for offering full college tuition include Starbucks, through an online program with Arizona State University, and the Walt Disney Co., which offers free online courses for hourly workers.
FAU’s Edu-Vantage Partner Program works with employers and corporate community partners to provide employees the opportunity to achieve their educational and professional goals while maintaining full-time careers, family responsibilities and numerous other life commitments. More information is available through FAU’s College of Business, which is managing the program.
Other South Florida universities including Nova Southeastern University in Davie offer employer tuition programs that offer a discount on education for company workers.
mpounds@sunsentinel.com or 561-243-6650, twitter: @marciabiz