The Kroger Co. has launched Pearl Street Academy, a career development and training platform designed to provide learning opportunities to associates across the Kroger Family of Companies.
The platform centralizes leadership development, training courses and professional growth experiences. The goal is to provide associates 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 is named for Barney Kroger, who opened his first store on Pearl Street in Cincinnati. The platform aims to carry forward the founder’s focus on fresh products, innovation and community care.
Pearl Street Academy will enable associates to enhance skills in current roles, explore growth opportunities across business units and drive results toward career goals.
Employees can also access Kroger’s tuition reimbursement program which offers up to $21,000 for both part-time and full-time employees. The program covers coursework from GED to Ph.D. programs. Since its launch, the initiative has contributed more than $64 million to associate education. Hourly associates represent 89 percent of recipients.
Kroger operates more than 400,000 associates serving more than 11 million customers daily through retail food stores and e-commerce under various banner names. The company 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]