Amazon is partnering with 140 universities and colleges across the country, including nine colleges in Texas, to expand career advancement opportunities for 750,000 of its hourly employees by providing fully funded tuition.

“By making this commitment to its employees through higher education, Amazon is demonstrating how partnerships among employers and institutions can empower students to contribute to, participate in and benefit from our world class economy,” said Harrison Keller, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education, in a press release.

Amazon employees will have access to an education from nine colleges in Texas in addition to national online universities, including Southern New Hampshire University, Colorado State University and more. The nine partner colleges and universities in Texas include those listed below.

• Austin Community College
• Alamo College
• Dallas College
• Houston Community College
• Lonestar College
• Tarrant County Community College
• Texas State University
• The University of Texas at Dallas
• The University of North Texas

The partnerships are enhancements of Amazon’s ongoing Career Choice program, which is one program of nine in the company’s Upskilling 2025 pledge. Amazon’s Upskilling 2025 pledge is the company’s commitment to offer 300,000 of its employees access to free education and skills training opportunities. The Upskilling 2025 pledge is a $1.2 billion investment, and it will provide these opportunities to Amazon employees within the next four years.

Career Choice allows employees to pursue a Bachelor’s degree, attend high school completion programs, earn various industry certifications and build English language skills. Since the launching of the Career Choice program in 2012, it has helped over 50,000 employees acquire an education, according to the press release.

Visit www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/career-choice for more information about the Career Choice program and partnership.