Question

As the labor market becomes more attractive, more companies are sending their employees to school. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is the latest company to use tuition assistance for employees – which for decades has been a part of many business’ benefits packages – as part of a renewed effort to bring in and cultivate talent. And while the impact of such programs has yet to be fully assessed, many see it as a positive – although gradual – movement.

“For workers, it gives them a better opportunity for development,” says Colleen Flaherty Manchester, a professor. “For firms, they are able to recruit the type of employees who have value education and are less likely to turn over, and thus have a higher level of retention(保留) .”

In all, 56 percent of US organizations offer undergraduate educational assistance while 52 percent offer graduate assistance.

Largely driving the trend are Millennials, who happen to be the fastest-growing people in the US workforce today and to whom the idea of tuition support from employers is especially appealing. Nearly 60 percent of Millennials surveyed said they would choose a job with strong professional-development potential over one with regular pay raises. Employers are absolutely adapting to Millennials in the workplace. They recognize that they need more experience, more knowledge, more mentoring to be successful. And they’re asking for it.

Of more than 140,000 Starbucks employees, only about 4,000 have signed up for the company’s College Achievement Plan. What the long-term effects such programs might have for companies’ retention and turnover rates remain unclear. But, the pluses of these programs are more important than the minuses. We’re going to see a lot more of this in the future.

1.Using tuition assistance for employees ________.

A. has attracted a large number of talents

B. is a trend that formed recently

C. has existed for scores of years

D. is well received by employees

2.What can we learn from what Colleen Flaherty said?

A. It is merely beneficial to employees

B. It is a win-win event for employees and employers.

C. Valuing education has become a trend for all companies.

D. It turns out to be tough for firms to find suitable employees.

3.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refer to?

A. Regular pay raises.

B. More chances to be successful.

C. Educational support.

D. Professional–development potential.

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE about the programs?

A. The programs can guarantee the employees a good job.

B. The impact of the programs remains to be estimated.

C. Employees will benefit more from the programs than companies.

D. It’s less likely that employees will remain in the same company after receiving the programs.

Answer 1