Kansas-based Ash Grove Cement Company employees will be soon able to earn a postsecondary credential debt-free.
The company has entered in an agreement with Zovio, an education technology services company that in turn has partnered with Ashford University, which allows the cement company employees to obtain associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
The company will provide the enrolling employees with a tuition assistance benefit, which will be supplemented by Ashford’s Full Tuition Grant exempting them from spending anything on earning the credential.
“One of Ash Grove’s core principles is to be the employer of choice by attracting, developing and retaining talented employees,” said Darcy Pugh, Employment and Compensation Manager at Ash Grove.
“Our partnership with Zovio and Ashford University provides our employees with access to education to gain the right skill sets needed to advance into management positions. We also see this program as a great tool to attract new talent.”
Recent reports have found that loans are also affecting many decisions of borrowers related to daily expenses like taking a vacation, going out for dinner or putting on some muscles in the gym.
Some 60 percent of respondents said they don’t take vacations due to the financial stress of repaying debt, while 35 percent dine out less and 20 percent haven’t joined the gym.