The Kroger Co. has launched Pearl Street Academy, a career development and training platform designed to provide learning opportunities to its employees.
The platform centralizes leadership development, training courses and professional growth experiences. The goal is to provide employees in stores, supply chain and other divisions with consistent access to development tools aligned with company leadership objectives.
“Pearl Street Academy represents our commitment to investing in the growth and development of our people,” said Tim Massa, Kroger’s EVP and chief experience officer.
“By creating a single, connected home for development opportunities, we’re ensuring that associates across our stores, supply chain and more, have access to the tools and experiences they need to advance and thrive in their careers.”
The academy takes its name from the street in Cincinnati where Barney Kroger opened his first store. The platform aims to carry forward the founder’s focus on fresh products, innovation and community care.
Pearl Street Academy will help employees enhance skills in current roles, explore growth opportunities in business units and drive results toward career goals.
Employees also can access Kroger’s tuition reimbursement program, which offers up to $21,000 for part-time and full-time workers and covers coursework from GED to Ph.D.
Since its launch, the initiative has contributed more than $64 million to employee education. Hourly workers represent 89 percent of recipients.
Kroger, which has more than 400,000 employees, has been recognized by Handshake for early career hiring and named to Newsweek‘s list of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies.
[RELATED: Kroger Begins Earth Month Campaign To Benefit World Wildlife Fund]