MOD Pizza Offers Free Tuition to Employees
MOD Pizza has expanded its Journey Program to include a robust list of company-paid educational curriculums for its MOD Squad members.
Other brands are embracing college tuition as a benefit. Chipotle is offering free degrees in specific areas, including hospitality. Taco Bell is also working with Guild Education to offer free undergraduate degrees to team members at corporate-owned locations.
MOD's move comes as hospitality continues to struggle with open positions, and restaurants and hotels alike are rethinking their benefits. Providing early access to earned wages is another popular benefit.
According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 63% of employees cited “no opportunities for career advancement” as a top reason for quitting. With the additional access to Guild’s Career Opportunity Platform, MOD Squads will have new paths toward career mobility.
Through a new partnership with Guild, MOD’s 10,000+ Squad members in company-owned stores across the U.S. can now unlock life-changing opportunities for both personal and professional advancement. The expanded program will cover the cost of full tuition, plus all books and fees, providing Squad members the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree, professional certificates, or enroll in English language learning – all through Guild’s Learning Marketplace and Career Opportunity Platform.
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“This is an important investment for MOD, and one that can help remove the barriers to education and career mobility that exist for so many,” said Ally Svenson, MOD’s co-founder and protector of the purpose. “The MOD Journey Program is designed to support and serve the people of MOD and ensure we are providing opportunities that will positively impact their lives. There’s nothing more important to us than knowing our Squads can pursue their personal and professional dreams as part of their MOD journey!”
The MOD Journey Program will now provide access to 19 high-quality educational, skills-based, and career development programs. Each are designed for working adults, with flexible classes that fit different schedules and include access to one-on-one support from Guild coaches. Courses are offered through eCornell, Spelman College, Southern New Hampshire University, Penn Foster and more, with a wide range of programs, including:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- High School Completion program
- English Language Learning program
- Technology Fundamentals Certificate
- Business and Technical Writing Certificate
- Project Management Certificate
- Corporate Communications Certificate
- Food and Beverage Management Certificate
- Foundational skill building bootcamps such as tech literacy, personal communication and more
Tim, a MOD manager, adds, “Getting an education is one of the most important things in life, and one that I feel is often overlooked within our industry. I’m currently working towards my own degree, and like my role at MOD, my education has taught me so many valuable things in life that I will carry with me for the rest of time. I’m excited to see how many lives will be impacted the same way mine has.”
“The Guild team could not be more thrilled to partner with MOD, another purpose-led organization focused on people impact,” said Natalie McCullough, Guild’s president and chief commercial officer. “Through expanded access to education and skilling, with support along the way, we’re creating career opportunities for MOD’s Squad members across the country.”
According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 63% of employees cited “no opportunities for career advancement” as a top reason for quitting. With the additional access to Guild’s Career Opportunity Platform, MOD Squads will have new paths toward career mobility.
To learn more about the program visit https://modpizza.guildeducation.com/partner/.