Saint Peter’s Healthcare System on Tuesday announced the launch of New Jersey’s first tuition-free education benefit available for health care employees through a new partnership with InStride, a tech-enabled services company that delivers workforce education solutions.
The New Brunswick-based health care system says the Learning, Education and Advancement Program makes educational growth accessible so employees can earn valuable credentials and degrees to advance their professional careers in health care.
Available to Saint Peter’s full- and part-time workers, the initiative complements the health system’s existing tuition reimbursement policy, improving access to learning by lowering the financial barrier of upfront tuition costs for employees.
Through LEAP, employees will be able to access over 1,000 online learning options, ranging from bachelor’s degrees to skill courses and English-language learning from academic institutions including Arizona State University, the City University of New York and the University of Colorado, among others.
“As a mission-based health care system, this program underscores Saint Peter’s commitment to transforming careers and our community,” Laura Atkinson, vice president and chief human resources officer at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, said. “It is an investment in education, our employees and the strength and unity of our community, ensuring our caregivers reflect the rich diversity of those we proudly serve with compassionate care.”
Leslie Hirsch, CEO and president of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, said: “I am proud to offer this world-class educational opportunity to our employees — the first of its kind for a health care system in New Jersey. We developed this program because we believe every Saint Peter’s employee should have the ability to learn and advance. LEAP is a win-win for our organization, as having the ability to grow and excel in one’s career supports advancement, while enhancing the patient experience and allowing us to retain our best and brightest.”
