WINDSOR, CT — More than 140 Amazon employees who completed college degrees, professional certifications and other credentials were honored Wednesday at the company's BDL4 fulfillment center, which held its first Career Choice graduation ceremony.
According to Amazon, graduates completed programs in fields including commercial driver's license certification, information technology, mechatronics, data analytics, operations leadership and business management. Some employees also completed English-language proficiency programs.
Mayor Nuchette Black-Burke, Town Manager Peter Souza, state Rep. Jane Garibay and Patrick McMahon, Windsor's director of economic and community development, attended the event.
"Their success strengthens our workforce, enriches our community and serves as an inspiration to others pursuing their goals," Black-Burke said in Amazon's announcement.
Waterbury native Tyler Crawford was among the graduates. Amazon said Crawford earned a bachelor's degree in business management through Southern New Hampshire University and advanced from a warehouse associate role to an Area Manager position at BDL4.
Amazon's Career Choice program prepays tuition, books and fees for eligible employees who have worked at the company for at least 90 days, the company said.
More than 2,100 Connecticut employees have participated in Career Choice since 2019 through partners including UConn, CT State Colleges and Southern Connecticut State University, according to Amazon.
Amazon said BDL4, a 3.7-million-square-foot fulfillment center that opened in 2022, employs more than 4,000 people.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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