Polo Club of Boca Raton
Location : Boca Raton , Florida Type : Country Club Spa
WHAT THEY OFFER : Full tuition scholarship opportunities for employees and dependents . WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE : Funds can be used towards any educational program , not just ones that advance an employee further on their current career path . THE FULL STORY : The Polo Club is a country club in South Florida with two golf courses , 26 clay tennis courts and , of course , world-class spa and fitness facilities . With such a large facility , the spa ’ s tuition reimbursement program is part of a larger property-wide initiative and a collaboration with the George Snow Scholarship Fund , a South Florida charity that disburses educational support for a variety of benefactors . The Polo Club raises donations for the Scholarship Fund from its members through a variety of activities and fundraisers ; in turn , this money funds the program . The George Snow Scholarship Fund then handles the administrative challenges of disbursing the financial aid .
Any employee or dependent of an employee at the club can apply for the scholarship by submitting an application , writing a short essay and completing an interview process . Allocation of funds is determined by the George Snow Scholarship Fund on the basis of need . THE BENEFITS : Tuition reimbursement has helped with recruitment ; Director of Spa and Fitness Eric Wilkinson says he always mentions it in interviews with job applicants . “ You can see their face light up ,” says Wilkinson . It ’ s brought in new employees in other ways , too , he says : “ Some of the scholarship recipients who were dependents
of our employees have actually taken positions at the club .” THE TAKEAWAYS : If funds are limited , try reaching out to local charitable organizations or scholarship groups to see if you can partner with them on educational funding .
The Lodge at Woodloch
Location : Hawley , Pennsylvania Type : Destination Spa
WHAT THEY OFFER : 50 percent reimbursement for massage therapy school . WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE : Close partnership with their local school , Lackawanna College . THE FULL STORY : The Lodge at Woodloch was struggling to find enough massage therapists in its rural area , so the spa tackled the problem head-on . After establishing a close relationship with its local massage therapy program , Spa Director Nancy Deaton set up a tuition reimbursement system . Once an employee has been with The Lodge at Woodloch ( or either of its sister properties situated onsite ) for 90 days , they are eligible to apply for financial assistance to attend the local massage therapy program . Applicants submit a letter of reference from their current manager and three professional references , plus meet with the spa ’ s treatments manager . Upon completion of the program , the applicant must pass the MBLEx , receive licensure and sign a two-year contract with the spa in order to receive the 50 % reimbursement . The goal of the program is to attract current non-service-provider employees to the field of massage therapy .
SEPTEMBER 2021 ■ PULSE 29