JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride recently introduced a two-year college tuition program called Better Futures, which will offer over 66,000 employees and their children the opportunity to receive free higher education. The program is said to become the largest free college tuition program in rural America.
The companies pledge to also help families through the application process because it can be difficult. JBS USA said they’re happy to help their employees receive higher education in order to build on their careers. To be eligible for the program, company team members only have to have worked at JBS or Pilgrim’s for the last six months and need to stay in good standings with the company throughout their schooling.
Two other benefits to this are that they’ll pay the tuition upfront so employees don’t need to take out student loans and the potential students are allowed to apply to whatever program they desire. Some businesses will pay for team members to go to school for specific courses, but not with the Better Futures program.
They’re creating partnerships with schools throughout the country that are close to their operations. If there isn’t a community college near one of the plants, the companies will give employees the chance to attend online community college. The first round of future graduates will be allowed to enroll for the 2021-2022 school year.
