Home » Gov. Beshear ceremonially signs bill supporting Metro College


Gov. Beshear ceremonially signs bill supporting Metro College


Metro College offers employment and tuition-free educational opportunities

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 12, 2015) — Gov. Steve Beshear today joined community leaders to ceremonially sign House Bill 202 supporting Metropolitan College, a partnership that provides participants with employment and tuition-free educational opportunities.

mcThe legislation extends a tax credit that had been set to expire April 15, 2017. The income tax credit, now extended through April 15, 2027, allows UPS to recover 50 percent of tuition and other education-related expenses paid for its employees.

Metropolitan College began in 1998 as a partnership between the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Louisville Metro Government, Jefferson Community and Technical College, the University of Louisville and UPS. Metro College provides access to a tuition-free postsecondary education and employment opportunities. The program aims to improve employee recruitment and retention at UPS Worldport, the global package delivery company’s international all-points air hub.

According to UPS, 3,800 Metro College students have earned 5,900 degrees and certifications. Students from more than 100 Kentucky counties have participated; 2,100 are currently enrolled. UPS works with a coalition of local companies to identify degree tracks with good employment possibilities and works with these companies to place students in full-time jobs once they graduate.

According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, UPS has helped to attract more than 150 companies to Kentucky, representing about 12,000 jobs and a $300 million payroll. UPS Worldport turns over cargo for 130 aircraft a day, connecting Louisville to 220 countries and territories. The facility employs 9,000 full-and part-time people. UPS employs nearly 24,000 full- and part-time workers statewide.