A new partnership between Sweetwater and Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne removes financial barriers for Sweetwater employees, increasing access to upskilling and industry certification-focused coursework to help them advance in their careers. The number one online retailer for music gear is offering up to 90% tuition reimbursement for employees seeking a degree or certificate from the College as part of Ivy Tech’s Achieve Your Degree (AYD) program.
Sweetwater launched the expanded Ivy Tech AYD program to employees earlier this month. Beyond employer-deferred tuition, the partnership offers Sweetwater employees flexible scheduling as well as in-person and online courses to accommodate their work schedules. The partnership is yet another example of why Sweetwater continues to earn national recognition for cultivating a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplace.
“Our employees are the heart of Sweetwater’s success, and we’re committed to providing them with opportunities to expand their skills and advance their careers. This is a great way to support our employees’ professional health,” explained Dr. Kristal Walker,Vice President of Employee Wellbeing at Sweetwater. “Partnering with Ivy Tech helps us remove obstacles to continuing education and make professional development more accessible. We couldn’t be more excited to work alongside an institution that has been a pillar of workforce development in the Greater Allen County community.”
Regular full- and part-time employees at Sweetwater require approval from Sweetwater Talent Development and their managers to confirm eligibility. Courses range from supply chain management and digital marketing to accounting and data analytics, and certificates or associate’s degrees in business administration. Reimbursements are subject to course completion and final grades.
“The Achieve Your Degree program is a wonderful partnership between Ivy Tech and employers,” says Kenan Habibic, Ivy Tech Director of Community Engagement. “It will allow Sweetwater employees to attend Ivy Tech with little or no money out of their pocket. We understand the barriers employees face when looking to further their education. Paying for your tuition up front and waiting for your employer to reimburse you can be a hurdle, especially in today’s economy. Companies who are set up as an AYD partner allows us to defer the student's payment to the end of the semester and bill their employers directly.”
Achieve Your Degree is a statewide collaboration between Ivy Tech campuses and local employers in the community. When employers partner with Ivy Tech, employees can earn an associate degree or certificate in an employer-approved field of study at minimal or zero up-front cost through company-provided tuition reimbursement.
Employers interested in learning more about AYD opportunities can contact Ivy Tech Fort Wayne’s Director of Community Engagement Kenan Habibić at khabibic@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
