Amazon is expanding its Delivery Service Partner program in the U.S. by allowing current Amazon employees to start a small business by owning and operating a package delivery company. The new incentive will fund the startup costs, up to $10,000, as well as the equivalent of three months of the former employee's last gross salary so they can easily get their company off the ground.
“We received overwhelming interest from tens of thousands of individuals who applied to be part of the Delivery Service Partner program, including many employees,” says Dave Clark, senior vice president of worldwide operations. “We’ve heard from associates that they want to participate in the program but struggled with the transition. Now we have a path for those associates with an appetite for opportunities to own their own businesses.”
Interested employees with receive Amazon's support in launching their own package delivery businesses. Those that are interested will leave their role at Amazon to build their business knowing they will have consistent delivery volume from the company, access to sophisticated delivery technology, hands-on training and discounts on a suite of assets and services, including Amazon-branded vans customized for delivery, branded uniforms and comprehensive insurance.
The program is just the latest of initiatives that Amazon is taking to encourage employees to develop and advance their careers. Across the U.S., more than 12,000 people have taken part in Amazon's Career Choice program where Amazon pre-pays up to 95 percent of tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, up to $12,000, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon or not.
Since the Delivery Service Partner program began in June 2018, Amazon has helped create more than 200 new small businesses that have hired thousands of local drivers to deliver packages. This year, the company plans to add hundreds more new businesses, starting with employees-turned-business-owners. Additionally, the program will expand to the UK and Spain.