Amazon has announced the launch of the Amazon Returnship program which offers professionals from different backgrounds a route back to work following the coronavirus pandemic. As things stand, Amazon’s Returnship program is only available in the United States.
Through the Returnship program, Amazon is offering those who have been out of work for at least a year to attend a 16-week paid work opportunity in locations across the country. Those that decide to participate will face “a customized and abbreviated” interview process and work on a specific project, from home, in their chosen field such as Operations Finance, Consumer Payments, and Search.
Aside from being able to work from home, participants will also get child and elder care assistance so they can get back into work in a steadier fashion. At the end of the period, participants have the chance to move into full-time positions at Amazon where relocation will be paid for if it’s needed.
Commenting on the program, Beth Galetti, senior vice president of People eXperience and Technology at Amazon, said:
“We understand that life happens and sometimes an event affects career plans. While people may need to drop from the workforce to help care for children or aging parents, we believe that this should not penalize their careers. Coming back to work after a break can be challenging—the company you know and the tools you used are likely to have changed. Amazon’s new Returnship program is designed to help professionals reintegrate to the workforce and offers them competitive pay, a structured environment, and personalized mentorship so they can succeed.”
If you live in the U.S., have been out of work or underemployed for a year or more, and want to try this program, you can apply on the Amazon Jobs website.