A Progressive Tuition-Assistance Policy

Many organizations provide some sort ___ tuition assistance ___ their employees, but progressive

companies will make sure that their tuition program is truly supportive ___ their employeesʼ range ___

learning needs and enables all learners to be successful. Important components of a tuition policy are:

Paying tuition “___ front” ___ a voucher or letter ___ credit that is given ___ the educational institution: Many

employees do not have the resources to pay ___ courses and wait ___ the companyʼs reimbursement

check. ___ a prepaid tuition program, employers will ensure that even workers ___ great financial barriers

can pursue educational opportunities.

Educational advising for employees: Employees often know that they want to pursue education but do not

know what to study to best position themselves ___ their current employer or ___ the larger labor market.

Advising is an important service that helps save you and your employees not only time and considerable

money.

Coverage ___ a broad range ___ courses and programs, rather than job-specific learning: A greater range

___ choice about what to study, where and how will enhance employee involvement ___ learning. But fear

not: CAELʼs experience ___ administering tuition programs has shown that even when policies are broad

and comprehensive, employees usually choose study related ___ advancing their job or career-related skills,

especially when the company actively disseminates information ___ the skills, abilities, competencies and

knowledge that are desired.

2. Cooperative Program Allows Designers To Complete Apprenticeships, Earn Associateʼs Degrees

Electric Boat, the MDA-UAW and Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) have established a partnership

that enables designer apprentices to earn associateʼs degrees ___ engineering technology while the

company pays the cost.

The five-year program includes more than 8,000 hours of ___-the-job training, more than 2,000 hours ___

design-specific instruction and 720 hours of classroom training.

Company instructors teach the Electric Boat-specific content ___-site, while TRCC staff teaches the

academic classes. Program participants attend classes ___ the workday, receiving training directly related

___ their careers. When they complete their apprentice programs, the participants should be able to

complete the requirements ___ their associateʼs degree ___ about a year.

MDA members are taking part ___ the program, attending classes on company time and ___ their normal

rate ___ pay. Tuition costs are fully paid by the company for apprentices who earn grades of “C” or better.

Additionally, the program is structured to allow participants who have obtained their associateʼs degree to

pursue four-year degrees ___ industrial technology, engineering technology or engineering ___ the

companyʼs tuition reimbursement program.

Electric Boat introduces Associates Degree for Design Apprentices