On May 3, Children’s Hospital Colorado became the first pediatric hospital system in the nation to offer tuition-free education benefits to employees. Through an innovative partnership with Guild, Children’s Colorado now fully funds more than 75 educational programs for all benefits-eligible team members. In addition to fully funded options, team members can access more than 200 other educational programs that Children’s Colorado will fund up to $5,250 per year.
Degrees, certifications and more
From high school diplomas to post-graduate degrees, benefits-eligible team members of all levels can enhance their skills and advance their careers, with Children’s Colorado covering the cost.
“Here, our team members are our most important asset,” said Betsy Rodriguez, Chief Human Resources Officer for Children’s Colorado. “This new benefit is an additional way we’re fulfilling our promise to team members by investing in them and supporting their individual potential.”
Supporting career mobility
Starting on the first of the month after 30 days of tenure, Children’s Colorado team members are eligible to enroll in one of more than 75 tuition-free programs, or 200 other programs for up to $5,250 per year, from high quality schools. Degrees and certificates are available online from both public and private institutions based locally and nationally. Programs include undergraduate and graduate degree options, as well as high school completion, college prep, English language learning and certificates.
“This is so much more than an education benefit program,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a chance for growth, advancement and discovery for everyone at every level. We aspire to be a place where people can begin a job and are supported to grow a career.”
Education opportunities for working adults
The system's Guild education and upskilling program is designed to be flexible, accessible and equitable to support working adults and all types of learners with a catalog closely aligned to Children’s Colorado’s mission and vision. Focus areas include healthcare, business, technology, psychology, hospitality and more.
Team members already participating
In its first week, nearly 25% of eligible team members created an account and began exploring possibilities for educational advancement through the program. Some are looking to take courses that will prepare them to apply for college for the first time while others are mapping out advanced degree programs.
Fostering Colorado’s healthcare workforce
“All of us at Guild are honored to partner with Children’s Hospital Colorado to help create career advancement for healthcare workers,” said Rachel Romer Carlson, CEO of Guild. “As the first pediatric hospital system to offer debt-free education to its team, Children’s Colorado is leading the way and fostering the future workforce of healthcare providers to care for the children in our Colorado communities. It's also an honor for those of us at Guild – as a Denver-based company with hundreds of families in town – to have the chance to give back to a hospital that supports us."
As a social impact company, Guild partners with America’s most innovative employers to reskill their workforce for career advancement through its payments and technology platform, curated learning marketplace and advanced education and career services.
“This is one more way we are investing in what makes our hospital different for our patients and their families: our people,” Rodriguez said.
Learn more about careers available with Children's Colorado
In the news
Learn about the partnership through these recent media stories: