Pilgrim’s Provides Team Members Free Tuition to Central Carolina Technical College
Today, Pilgrim’s Sumter announced a partnership with Central Carolina Technical College to provide free tuition to qualifying team members and their dependents.
The nationwide program, Pilgrim’s Better Futures, removes a major financial barrier to college attendance and stands to become the largest free community college tuition program in rural America. Pilgrim’s and Central Carolina 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 Central Carolina Technical College will provide free, convenient higher education opportunities for our team members and their children,” said Keith Martin, Pilgrim’s Sumter complex manager. “Earning a college degree has the potential to improve lives in our region and open doors for generations to come.”
As a large employer in many rural communities, Pilgrim’s 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.
“Education is powerful and will open doors to new opportunities,” CCTC President Dr. Kevin Pollock said. “We are proud to assist Pilgrim’s employees and their families with earning the valuable skills they need to advance their careers. Not only will the individuals benefit, but the community as a whole will advance.”
The Better Futures program, announced in March, is part of the company’s Hometown Strong initiative. Strengthening the communities where Pilgrim’s team members live and work is an ongoing priority. Funding for Better Futures is in addition to the initial $20 million investment from Pilgrim’s for Hometown Strong. This investment will allow Pilgrim’s to continue advancing the commitment to its team members and people in communities across the country. To learn more, visit betterfutures.jbssa.com.
The Pilgrim’s Sumter facility employs 1,000 people with an annual payroll of more than $26 million. The facility supports 99 growers, paying them more than $24 million per year for their chickens.
Pilgrim’s anchors dozens of rural communities – operating more than 30 meat poultry and prepared foods plants and employing 31,000-plus people.