DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker
International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), one of the world's leading casual
dining restaurant companies and owner of Chili's® Grill
& Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy®, announced today
the launch of a comprehensive educational program, Best You EDU. In
partnership with Pearson, Best You EDU is an employer-education
program that provides opportunities for Brinker Team Members,
ranging from hourly to management. At absolutely no cost to
participants, Best You EDU is open to all Team Members who work
at least 24 hours per week with a minimum tenure of 90 days and
registration is now open.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8246351-brinker-pearson-education-chilis-maggianos-best-you-edu/
Best You EDU was designed to meet Team Members where they are on
their educational journey, offering three main components:
Foundational, GED and associate degrees.
- No cost Foundational Program: Provides language, skills
development and bilingual coaching in a mobile-first
environment.
- No cost GED Program: Provides online GED prep
curriculum, bilingual advisory support and unlimited test-pass GED
credential guarantees.
- No cost associate degree: Provides an online pathway to
an associate degree in business or general studies through a
regionally accredited college, including all courses, text and
study materials, advising and coaching support.
"We firmly believe that education is the single best benefit we
can provide to our Team Members. The confidence that education
provides is what encourages our Team Members to achieve the next
step in their career," said Rick
Badgley, Chief People Officer, Brinker. "Best You EDU is
personal to me and the larger Brinker leadership team as many of us
started our careers as a cook, dishwasher or host at a restaurant.
Through education, we gained the confidence necessary to further
pursue our careers."
"Pearson is proud to partner with Brinker to develop a custom
education program," said Kevin
Capitani, president, Pearson North
America. "Only 2-3 percent of workers are in a position to
use employer-tuition programs because of upfront costs, difficulty
fitting education into their busy lives, or a lack of foundational
skills. Brinker is one of the few companies addressing this range
of barriers to a better job and to a better life."
To support Team Members throughout the education process, all
participants will have access to a coach specific to their
educational pathway. Coaches will provide help with everything from
gaining internet access and encouraging participation and
persistence to navigating work and school simultaneously and
defining a career path. For associate degree candidates, coaches
will help students with college applications, course selections and
academic struggles while in school.
Here's what some Brinker Team Members had to say when they
learned about Best You EDU:
- "We already work for a company that has the drive to make our
lives better. So, to see that they are taking more steps to help us
achieve a more purposeful life is amazing to hear," said
Katie McGee, Assistant Manager at
Chili's.
- "I would be one of many who would greatly appreciate and be
grateful for working and being a part of a company that supports
free education. That to me means that not only select individuals
have an opportunity to succeed, but now that opportunity is
available to all," said Victoria
Castillo, host at Chili's.
- "I'm excited to hear conversations among Teammates evolve to
include 'and how are your classes going?' because the goal is to
help each individual achieve their very best. And, to make that
happen with no financial burden to our Teammates is the right way
to do it," said Brooke Burgiel,
PeopleWorks Director at Maggiano's.
By offering life-changing opportunities through Best You EDU,
Guests will also reap benefits. Happier Team Members provide
exceptional service to Guests, enhancing the overall dining
experience. "When you feel supported and understood by your
employer, you are more likely to go above and beyond," said
Badgley. "We would much rather search and promote within our
existing talent pool to find our next managers and general
managers. Through great training and exceptional growth
opportunities, we are using Best You EDU as a launching pad to
expand our benefits offerings and this is just the beginning of
what's to come."
For more information about Best You EDU, please visit
https://www.brinkerjobs.com/why-choose-us/our-culture/ and
http://www.pearsonlearningnews.com/building-a-movement-how-a-new-initiative-empowers-workers-through-education/
About Brinker International, Inc.
Brinker
International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining
restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, as of the fiscal first quarter
ended Sept. 27, 2017, Brinker owned,
operated or franchised 1,682 restaurants under the names Chili's®
Grill & Bar (1,630 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy®
(52 restaurants).
About Pearson
Pearson is the world's learning
company, with expertise in educational courseware and assessment,
and a range of teaching and learning services powered by
technology. Our mission is to help people make progress through
access to better learning. We believe that learning opens up
opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For
more, visit www.pearson.com.
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brinker-international-and-pearson-partner-to-offer-no-cost-education-to-chilis-and-maggianos-employees-300585847.html
SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.