Company : Hy-Vee
Program category : 2020

Origins:

Hy-Vee believes its most important asset is its employees. The company has a strong culture of personal development and is committed to investing in its more than 85,000 employees across all areas of the company as well as its future workforce in communities where it has a presence. Because learning is a vital part of employee growth and retention, Hy-Vee wanted to keep its commitment to offering a wide selection of educational and training opportunities, most importantly - those for youth, even if that meant working to accommodate programs virtually due to COVID-19. Despite the pandemic, Hy-Vee showed its commitment to youth development this year by expanding or launching three distinct programs in 2020: the Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarship Program, Employee Tuition Assistance and Hy-Vee University.

Contribution:

Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarship Program Hy-Vee awarded $90,000 in scholarships in August 2020 to high school seniors and college students. The scholarships were given through the Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarship Program, which has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to high school and college students since 1969. Recipients were connected to Hy-Vee either through their own employment or through a parent who is an employee. The $90,000 amount is the greatest amount of money Hy-Vee has ever awarded for this program in one year. Employee Tuition Assistance In July 2020, Hy-Vee announced its partnership with Bellevue University to launch the Hy-Vee Tuition Assistance Program, available for employees and immediate family members. One-hundred Hy-Vee employees who pursue a Hy-Vee-approved degree of study are selected each year to receive up to $10,500 in annual tuition assistance through the program. In addition, all other Hy-Vee employees can receive up to $3,500 in annual tuition assistance when enrolled as a full-time student at Bellevue. Employees’ immediate family members can also receive up to $2,500 in annual tuition assistance through the program when enrolled as a full-time student. Hy-Vee University Hy-Vee is committed to skill building and on-the-job learning for its employees through a new Hy-Vee University program, a training program that prepares employees for a successful career in retail. Students are introduced to mentors within Hy-Vee’s retail stores and achieve hands-on experience in all facets of store operations that include: • Business leadership • Masters of retail operation • Retail certifications (wine, cheese, beer) • Retail management • Retail services With all of its investment in educational programming, Hy-Vee is making a significant impact in the next generation of grocery industry leaders.

Objectives:

• Provide financial and development support for students who are employed by Hy-Vee, or who have family members employed by the organization. • Cultivate the next generation of retail leaders through comprehensive, hands-on skill building and learning opportunities in a store environment. • Enhance leadership skills through one-on-one mentoring opportunities, giving young professionals the opportunity to grow their in-store networks. • Allow interested employees to identify their own career paths within Hy-Vee, and grow a deep appreciation for all facets of the grocery industry.

Impact:

• The Hy-Vee Foundation Scholarship Program has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to high school and college students since 1969; in 2020, Hy-Vee awarded 90, $1,000 scholarships in honor of its 90th anniversary.
o The announcement received nearly 2.5 million unique impressions in media coverage. • In 2020, Hy-Vee selected 100 full- or regular-time employees to receive up to $10,500 in annual tuition assistance through its partnership with Bellevue University.
• In 2020, Hy-Vee developed 35 virtual Hy-Vee University classes and supported 347 student/mentor relationships.
• Overall, Hy-Vee helped transition 1,422 young retail employees to leadership positions.

Quote:

At Hy-Vee, we don’t just look for people who simply want a job; we look for people who profoundly exemplify the fundamentals upon which our company was built, and understand the significant impact that the retail industry has on individuals and families. Through the Hy-Vee Scholarship Foundation, our tuition assistance program and Hy-Vee University, we are proud to help young students achieve their educational and career goals.

Support Statement:

“We are honored to partner with Hy-Vee as they continue to invest in their workforce and in their employees’ future,” said Dr. Mary Hawkins, president of Bellevue University. “Hy-Vee’s new educational initiative demonstrates once again their commitment to their employees who, in turn, serve their customers. We look forward to supporting Hy-Vee employees as they pursue their academic goals at Bellevue University.”