JBS Provides Team Members Free Tuition to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Today, JBS Green Bay announced a partnership with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to provide free tuition to qualifying team members and their dependents.
The nationwide program, JBS USA Better Futures, removes a major financial barrier to college attendance and stands to become the largest free community college tuition program in rural America. JBS and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College advisors will also help team members – many from first-generation American families – navigate the application process, which can be a deterrence to people applying to college for the first time.
“Our partnership with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College will benefit our team members and their children in a significant way, and we are grateful for this opportunity,” said Hicham Timejardine, JBS Green Bay plant manager. “There are brighter and better futures ahead for our Green Bay community for generations to come.”
As a large employer in many rural communities, JBS USA believes providing free access to community college and technical training programs can help play a role in sustainably building rural economies and making a lasting and meaningful difference in people’s lives. The first class of students will be eligible for the upcoming 2021/2022 school year.
“We congratulate JBS for investing in the families of their employees and recognizing the importance of post-secondary education for career success,” said Dr. Jeff Rafn, NWTC president. “NWTC is thrilled to have the opportunity to provide JBS team member families our nationally-recognized student success strategies as we prepare the next generation of a highly-skilled workers that will drive the economic vitality of our communities.”
The Better Futures program, announced in March, is part of the company’s Hometown Strong initiative announced last year. Strengthening the communities where JBS USA team members live and work is an ongoing priority. Funding for Better Futures is in addition to the initial $70 million for Hometown Strong investments and will allow the companies to continue advancing the commitment to their team members and people in their hometowns across the country. To learn more, visit betterfutures.jbssa.com.
The JBS Green Bay facility employs over 1,200 people with an annual payroll of more than $65 million. The facility supports over 1,100 producers, paying them more than $700 million per year for their livestock.
JBS USA anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 60 meat, poultry and prepared foods plants and employing 66,000-plus people.