Tuition reimbursement, continuing education, and career development

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In addition to training tied directly to new technologies or job transitions, many agreements include provisions supporting long-term employee development. These may include tuition reimbursement, continuing education benefits, or structured career advancement programs. Such supports help workers gain new qualifications, pursue external certifications, and build broader career pathways, especially in the context of technological change.

Provisions in this section are organized into two categories:

• Tuition reimbursement: Employer commitments to cover tuition and related costs for job-related courses, external training programs, or alternative career pathways.
• Continuing education and career development: Programs that offer skill-building opportunities, career planning support, and advancement resources beyond immediate retraining needs.

Tuition reimbursement

These clauses require employers to subsidize or fully reimburse tuition and related costs for job-relevant coursework. Some apply broadly to voluntary education, while others are tied to specific retraining or transition programs.

Examples:

• “In the event training is necessary for employees to qualify for such positions, the employer will provide adequate training to all affected employees at the time the technology is implemented. The employer shall pay for tuition and books for classes taken by the employees for the purpose of learning and/or improving skills, the employer has the right to approve the classes and the books in advance.” (OPEIU-OLMS91)
• “If operation [of new technologies] requires a level of skill which may practically be obtained only through academic study and the necessary courses are offered at [local] area educational institutions, the Employer shall pay the tuition and fees required for employees who volunteer for this training to take the courses, but shall not be obligated to pay for the time employees spend in the coursework. If an employee completes the coursework successfully (average grades of at least “C”), the Employer shall offer the employee the work of operating the machine(s) associated with the employee’s former job functions. Such offers shall be for the next permanent positions performing this work following the employee’s completion of the coursework.” (LJEBLV-UNITEHERE-OLMS13)
• “The Company will make training available to qualify employees to perform the new or changed work resulting from new technology introduction.… The Company will reimburse an employee one hundred (100%) percent of the paid tuition fee for each successfully completed job related course if such employee has received written approval for the course.” (IAMAW-OLMS16)
• “The payment of tuition/fees (to the extent such payment is not available from a governmental agency) will be provided for an employee who voluntarily participates in a course or training program approved by [the training program].” (IAMAW-PCBA54)
• “In the case of employees who do not elect [jobs transfer and retraining], the Employer agrees to pay school fees or tuition not exceeding $10,000.00 per employee for training for other work in a school or institution duly accredited under the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966 or at another institution acceptable to the Employer. Under this option the employee would receive dismissal indemnity and terminate [Company] employment.” (TNG-CWA-PCBA33)

Continuing education and career development programs

Provisions in this category emphasize long-term support for employee learning, including generic skills training, professional growth programs, and structured career planning. Some agreements also provide counseling or create advisory boards to guide development strategies and monitor employee progress.

Examples:

• “The Company will offer, at Company expense, training and retraining programs to its employees for personal or career development and to employees being displaced to qualify for job vacancies as anticipated by the Company. The personal or career development training and the job displacement retraining programs contemplated by this provision will be generic in nature and separate and distinguished from the current job specific training instruction. A Training Advisory Board comprised as set forth below will be established to assist and advise in the training efforts encompassed by these programs.” (CWA-PCBA44)
• Educational opportunities available to employees include: in-house training on new equipment during work hours with company funding, attending programs at the National Education and Training Trust Academy on work time with company funding, pursuing individual skill development courses at accredited institutions with full tuition reimbursement, and participating in state and local job training programs subsidized by grants. (TNG-CWA-PCBA34)
• The parties aim to ensure employee success. To achieve this, employees will undergo periodic evaluations during training. Career counseling will be provided to support employees’ development. In case of training difficulties, the parties will collaborate to develop a contingency plan, which may involve alternative options or additional training. (SEIU-UHW-PCBA29)

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