Tyson Unveils New Education Assistance Plan; Improvements Designed to

SPRINGDALE, Ark., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tyson Foods has developed a new program to help Team Members who want to further their education.

Tyson is implementing an enhanced "Educational Assistance Plan," which consolidates the company's existing education support efforts into a new program expected to benefit more of the company's Team Members.

Highlights include tuition reimbursement improvements, the use of a new preferred "on-line" education provider and expanded reimbursement opportunities for workers interested in a General Equivalency Degree (GED), as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) and U.S. citizenship classes.

"We view the Education Assistance Plan as an added benefit for our Team Members as well as the company," Ken Kimbro, Senior Vice President-Human Resources, said. "We're helping people who want to expand their knowledge and skills. This plan not only provides the opportunity for personal growth, it also improves their chances for advancement within Tyson and helps ensure we have the right people in place for the future."

Under the new plan, tuition, books and fees for all coursework required as part of a degree program will be reimbursed at 75%, or a maximum of $3,500 per calendar year. The covered courses must go toward a degree that meets the business needs of the company, but no longer have to be related to a specific job. In addition, classes, seminars, meetings and other training and development activities attended at the direction of the company will be paid under the plan at 100%. This will not count against the $3,500 maximum.

While Team Members may attend any accredited school to qualify for reimbursement, they are also encouraged to consider the cost savings and credit transfer advantages of Excelsior College, Tyson's new preferred "on-line" education provider. New York-based Excelsior is a recognized leader in the field of distance education, offering degrees in business, liberal arts, nursing and technology.

"We believe the on-line program we've developed with Excelsior is appropriate and can help Team Members pursue their degrees affordably, efficiently and in an accelerated manner," Kimbro said. "It's also structured so Team Members can easily transfer credits earned from a local college or university toward a degree at Excelsior."

Vicky Brown, a human resources manager at a Tyson plant in Arkansas, recently completed her degree through a pilot project with Excelsior. "Being allowed to finish my courses online at home was extremely convenient for me," she said. "I am thrilled to have completed my courses to receive my degree."

Tyson's tuition reimbursement program is also being expanded to include all Team Members who successfully complete GED, ESL and U.S. citizenship classes. This practice was previously limited to one division of the company. In an effort to make the process easier for Team Members, Tyson is also shifting management of this part of the reimbursement program from corporate headquarters to each respective plant location.

Team Members with questions about the new Education Assistance Plan are asked to contact the Human Resources Manager at their location. They may also call Corporate Human Resources or the Corporate Training Department, which is coordinating the overall program.

Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork and the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. Tyson has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world.