Starbucks Korea offering workers education

Starbucks Korea employees are being offered a chance to achieve their academic goals.

The company has introduced a college achievement plan to enable employees (termed “partners”) to finish four-year college degrees. Already, 146 have enrolled at Hanyang Cyber University.

“At the core of our success are our partners who deliver an unparalleled Starbucks experience, and we are pleased to help them achieve their academic dreams,” says CEO Seock-koo Lee. “The college achievement plan gives partners the chance to earn their degree without the financial burden.”

Hanyang Cyber University offers 36 majors ranging from liberal arts to business management. Barista training is also included. As all regular classes and tests are delivered online, students can focus on their jobs as well as their studies without having to attend a physical school.

“The Starbucks mission of inspiring and nurturing the human spirit resonates with our goal of providing young talent with access to higher education for their pathway to success,” says the university’s office of admissions dean Seungyeon Han.

Employees applying for the program need to provide their study plans and complete aptitude tests. Once admitted, they can choose any major, even if unrelated to their work.

Starbucks Korea estimates that more than 1000 employees will be able to earn bachelor’s degrees by 2020. Along with the university, it plans to recruit up to 300 students each school year. Those who achieve a grade point average of B or higher will be entitled to a Starbucks scholarship covering full tuition.

Employees who receive the scholarship are not obligated to work for Starbucks after graduation.

The program is similar to the Starbucks college achievement plan in the US, introduced in 2014. It allows eligible employees to earn their bachelor’s degree with full tuition reimbursement through Arizona State University’s online degree program.