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Innovative Initiatives: Construction and
Transportation
To meet UPS's demand for workers in order to expand its
Worldwide Air Hub in Louisville.
Offer potential employees a tuition-free opportunity for
college in return for their willingness to work part-time for UPS during their
time in school.
UPS is the world's largest package distribution
company, transporting more than three billion parcels and documents annually.
State of Kentucky provides financial support for the
Metropolitan College Program.
University of Louisville, Jefferson Technical College,
and Jefferson Community College have UPS employees attending classes and
earning degrees through the Metropolitan College Program.
UPS needed to expand its Worldwide Air Hub in Louisville,
but could not find enough workers. In response to this situation, the company
created a new workforce by offering college students part-time jobs and a free
education. One such student employee is Todd Schwartz, a 32-year-old student
with a family who is taking advantage of the UPS Metropolitan College Program.
UPS pays for his education at the University of Louisville and Todd works
part-time at night for UPS. Todd is working towards an engineering degree and
has recently been promoted to a part-time supervisory position in Plant
Engineering.
Created in 1998, the Metropolitan College Program now has
1,500 students enrolled in the University of Louisville, Jefferson Technical
College, and Jefferson Community College. These 1,500 part-time UPS workers
have proven to have better retention rates than those not in the Metropolitan
College Program. Many of these workers came from the UPS School to Work
program, which gives 350 local high school students the opportunity for
employment and college credit.
Students in the Metropolitan College Program get a free
education at any of the three schools, textbooks, a housing subsidy, and a
good-paying job. Benefits include a medical plan and a 401(k) retirement plan.
Students are given mentors who provide counseling on issues related to the
employee's job, school, and personal life. The student-workers may get their
degrees in any subject, are not required to work for UPS when they graduate.
Due to the growth of the program, there are many more students enrolled in the
Metropolitan College Program than can be accommodated by UPS on a full-time
basis upon graduation. As a result, UPS has formed alliances with other
Louisville-area companies to create career opportunities in a variety of
fields.
The program is funded with a $2 million grant from the
state of Kentucky, $625,000 from the city of Louisville and Jefferson County;
and $100,000 from Greater Louisville, Inc. UPS pays about $4 million in tuition
fees, and contributes $1.1 million in classroom facilities and $1.5 million in
equipment.
Rather than relocate to another community, UPS decided to
invest in the people of Louisville by paying for their education. This decision
avoided the cost of moving and will pay off for years by providing the company
with well-educated, loyal employees to meet the company's employment needs.
John Kinney, Human Resources Manager
UPS
1515
Fern Valley Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40213
502-359-7309 (p)
air1jwk@air.ups.com
Dr. Dan Ash, Executive Director
Metropolitan College
200 West Broadway
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
502-213-4520 (p)
502-213-4512 (f)
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