The FINANCIAL — Amazon today announced it has promoted more than 35,000 Operations employees in 2020, that 30,000 employees have taken advantage of Amazon’s Career Choice program, and that it’s creating an additional 100,000 seasonal jobs. With more than 12 million Americans out of work according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics these new seasonal roles in several locations across the US and Canada will complement its regular full- and part-time positions. Amazon offers jobs for people of all backgrounds and skill levels, and these 100,000 new, seasonal jobs offer opportunities for pay incentives, benefits, and a path to a longer-term career, or can simply provide extra income and flexibility during the holiday season.
Amazon was recently named #2 on the Forbes World’s Best Employers list, a list based entirely on anonymous employee input, which reflects Amazon’s highly-competitive pay, benefits from day one, and training programs for in-demand jobs, among other criteria. On top of an industry-leading $15 minimum wage, full-time employees receive comprehensive benefits on day one, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401K with 50 percent company match, and a network to succeed.
“At Amazon, we believe in providing our employees with great jobs and better futures. We’re proud to see our employees grow through promotions to the next level at Amazon and also through programs like Career Choice, which help them pursue careers in high demand fields,” said Alicia Boler Davis, Amazon’s Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment. “These 35,000 newly-promoted Amazonians came from a variety of backgrounds, and many started in seasonal jobs like we’re announcing today. They have made a big impact for our customers and contributed to a positive and safe work environment, and we’re thrilled to congratulate them on their next step.”
Marcus Vegas is an Amazon employee from New Jersey who first joined the company as a seasonal employee in 2018 with the goal of making money for the holidays, but quickly found that Amazon offered him opportunities for growth and long-term career success. Vegas has received four promotions since he transitioned to a full-time, permanent employee in 2019 and is now a Delivery Operations Manager at his delivery station in Kearny, New Jersey.
“Amazon has given me so many opportunities,” Vegas said. “At every level I’ve achieved, there’s always been a clear path for the next step and for growth. Leaders have trusted me to deliver results and there’s endless support at every turn.”
As it continues to create jobs across the country, Amazon leverages its scale for good and makes investments to support employees and communities. For example, Amazon has invested more than $60 million in Career Choice—an innovative program designed to help upskill people who are interested in pursuing a future in a high-demand field. With more than half of participants from underrepresented minority groups, the program offers courses covering 20 different career paths, including computer support specialist, web developer, nurse, aircraft mechanic, commercial trucker, paralegal/legal assistant, IT security assistant, and network technician, among others. Amazon has partnered with more than 85 education partners and community colleges in the U.S. and continues to grow its educator network.
“Career Choice is one way we help people think big about their careers, and we offer training across a wide variety of skills needed for high-demand fields,” said Darcie Henry, Vice President of Global HR for Amazon Operations. “We’re excited for the 30,000 people who have already participated in the program to continue contributing to their communities and creating better futures for their families. And we hope that number will continue to grow—people hired today could be the Career Choice graduates of tomorrow.”
Patricia Soto is a former Amazon employee who went through Career Choice and is now a certified clinical medical assistant at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation.
“I had worked in a warehouse setting for years but knew I wanted to help people and had been curious about healthcare. In just nine months, I became a certified clinical medical assistant while working at Amazon in Tracy, California, thanks to Career Choice,” she said. “A career in healthcare would have been difficult to obtain without tuition support from Amazon and an internship opportunity to apply my new skills. For anyone thinking about it, you only have something to gain from participating in the Career Choice program.”
In addition to promoting and upskilling employees across its network, Amazon will be hiring more than 100,000 additional people in seasonal roles for its peak season, giving people flexible working options to earn money during the holidays and explore a career with Amazon. Many job locations also include bonus holiday incentives. Jobs in Amazon’s operations network include stowing, picking, packing shipping and delivering customer orders, and can also include a wide variety of other jobs including managing people, being a safety ambassador, working in HR, IT, operating robotics, and more. New hires will be fully trained and all facilities follow strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols. A job with Amazon can be the start of a future, long-term career inside or outside of the company.
Amazon prioritizes the safety and health of its employees and has invested millions of dollars to provide a safe workplace. The company has made over 150 significant process changes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and invested over $800 million on COVID-19 safety measures in the first half of the year alone, including personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning, staggered and flexible shifts, revisions at workstations, and developing in-house COVID-19 testing capabilities, to name a few.
