Amazon has over a million employees. And with its attractive pay, many more people want to work there.
If you want to work at Amazon, you may be wondering what level of education or certifications you need. So, do you need a high school diploma to work at Amazon?
Do You Need a High School Diploma to Work at Amazon?
Usually, you will need a high school diploma or GED to work at Amazon. But recently, Amazon has introduced new initiatives that allow people without a high school diploma to apply for entry-level hourly jobs. Employees hired without a GED can get their GED at Amazon’s expense.
Amazon may employ you for an entry-level job without a GED. But how does this work? Keep reading to find out what you need to know about working at Amazon without a high school diploma or GED.
Can You Still Be in High School and Work at Amazon?
Yes, you can still be in high school and work at Amazon. You can pick up a part-time role at Amazon as a high school student. Since Amazon has started hiring individuals without GED or a high school diploma for entry-level hourly jobs.
However, there are other requirements you’ll have to meet. For example, you must be at least 18 years old to work at Amazon. And if you want to be an Amazon driver, you must be at least 21.
If you’re employed without a high school diploma or GED at Amazon, you can get help from Amazon to complete your high school or get your GED through the Amazon Career Choice program.
Do You Need a Diploma to Work at Amazon?
Usually, Amazon needs candidates to hold a high school diploma or an equivalent (any diploma). However, with the new Career Choice program at Amazon, the company is becoming more welcoming to applicants who don’t have a diploma.
So, you don’t need a diploma to work some jobs at Amazon. But without a high school diploma, you’ll have duties that don’t require much expertise. You’ll likely be assigned a position at the warehouse, picking and packing up client orders.
It’s important to know that you’ll need to get your diploma (fully funded by Amazon) in the long run. This will allow you to apply for other higher-paying positions within Amazon (or outside the company) when you want to.
Do You Need a High School Diploma to Work at Amazon Warehouse?
Whether or not you need a high school diploma to work at the Amazon warehouse depends on what role you’re looking to work in.
For example, there is no requirement for a high school certificate or GED if you seek an entry-level position at Amazon warehouses, such as Fulfilment Associate, Amazon Air Associate, and many more.
However, you must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for a position in Amazon’s warehouse (or any other position in the company). OSHA regulations state that workers must be at least 18 years old to work in jobs involving tasking physical work (Amazon warehouse jobs, for example).
In addition, you must be able to read and speak English well enough to adhere to all safety regulations. You may need a high school diploma for jobs with more responsibilities, like warehouse manager, pharmacy technician, etc.
You can check out the complete listing of all Amazon jobs that are currently open and look to see the required qualifications on the Careers page.
Can You Work at Amazon at 17 With a Diploma?
No, even if you have a high school diploma or GED before 17, you cannot start working at Amazon until you’re 18. Currently, Amazon sticks to its strict policy of only hiring people at least 18 years old.
This restriction is necessary for Amazon because getting younger kids to adhere to all safety regulations could be challenging.
Does Amazon Check for High School Diplomas?
During background checks, Amazon will check your high school diploma to see if your claim is valid.
So, before you claim that you have a GED or high school diploma without having one, keep in mind that Amazon will perform a thorough background and educational check.
Amazon also does a criminal records test, and they are legally allowed to conduct drug tests without notifying you in advance.
What Happens if You Lie About Having a High School Diploma?
What if you lie about having a high school diploma or GED? Will Amazon still employ you if they find out you don’t?
Because lying demonstrates a dishonest act, Amazon may be highly cautious of hiring you if they find out that you lied about anything on your application. Usually, Amazon will verify all the information you submit, and any discrepancies will be frowned upon.
You should be honest about your educational status rather than lie about it. You can still land a job at Amazon without a high school diploma or GED.
If Amazon employs you without a GED, it provides an enabling environment where you can get your high school diploma or GED, all paid for by Amazon.
Does Amazon Pay For Associates to Complete High School?
Yes, Amazon pays for associates to complete high school. Once you’ve worked with Amazon for at least 90 days, you can benefit from higher education funding through its famous Career Choice program.
Because acquiring a GED pays off, Amazon has established pilot programs to assist seasonal workers in receiving a high school diploma or GED at no cost. Amazon covers the cost of the four GED subjects for eligible employees.
Amazon also has and pays for other education offerings, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency certifications and bachelor’s degrees. They also fund employees studying welding, aircraft mechanics, medical billing, and other fields.
These are in addition to other associate degrees, certificates, and training previously offered in the Amazon training program.
Conclusion
You don’t need a high school diploma or GED to work in some entry-level positions at Amazon. If you get employed without a high school diploma or GED at Amazon, the company will pay to help you get your GED after you’ve worked for at least 90 days.