Furthering education: Dollywood employees to get 100% tuition, fees, books paid by foundation

The operators of the theme park Dollywood are making sure the park’s employees can further their education without taking a financial hit, or wracking up massive amounts of debt.

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Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Company, announced this week that the company’s foundation will pay 100% of employees’ tuition, fees and books at 30 partner schools. Employees can work toward a diploma, degree or certificate in programs such as business administration, culinary, finance, technology and marketing, WATE reported.

An additional 150 fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design will get partial funding of up to $5,250 a year, WBRC reported.

It’s not just current employees. The benefits kick in on the first day of employment, WZTV reported.

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The program will be piloted by Dolly Parton’s operating partner Herschend Enterprises through its GROW U program, WATE reported.

The program kicks off on Feb. 24 and will be for all seasonal, part-time and full-time employees at Dollywood Parks & Resorts.

That means it will be available for workers at 25 different locations operated by Herschend Enterprises, including Pink Adventure Tours in Tennessee, Arizona and Nevada; Wild Adventures in Georgia; Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey; Silver Dollar City in Missouri; Kentucky Kingdom and Newport Aquarium, both of which are located in Kentucky, WATE reported.

Similar programs are offered at Disney, Lowe’s, Walmart and Taco Bell.

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