Amazon plans to spend $ 700 million to retrain a third of its workforce in new skills: WSJ

Amazon.com unveiled Thursday its intention to recycle one-third of its US workforce, 100,000 workers, by 2025, to help its employees access more advanced jobs. or a new career.

The distribution and technology giant intends to expand existing training programs and introduce new ones. Training will be voluntary and most programs are free.

The programs will help workers "access training to access highly skilled technical and non-technical positions in the company's offices, technology centers, distribution centers, stores and transportation network, or to pursue Careers outside of Amazon, "said the company a statement.

Amazon's recycling programs will include:

• Amazon Technical Academy, which allows non-technical employees to acquire the skills necessary to transition to careers in software engineering;

• Associate2Tech, which trains distribution center employees in technical roles;

• Machine Learning University, which offers employees with technology training the opportunity to access machine learning skills;
• Amazon Career Choice, a prepaid training program designed to train distribution center employees in high-demand trades of their choice;
• Amazon Apprenticeship, a program approved by the Ministry of Labor, offering intensive paid classroom training and internships with Amazon; and
• AWS Training and Certification, which provides employees with courses to develop practical knowledge of the AWS cloud.

The planned program is among the largest retrofit initiatives ever announced by companies, at a cost of about $ 7,000 per worker, or $ 700 million, the Journal said.

Amazon shares rose 34% this year and are among the best five-year performances of the S & P 500, rising from 2,000 to 3,000.

The Wall Street Journal first reported on the company's recycling program.