Athletic wear brand Lululemon has partnered with Swinburne University of Technology to offer its employees the opportunity to undertake a tailored business course.
Lululemon store managers, regional managers and training managers who have been working for the business for 12 months are eligible to undertake the Diploma of Business which is being fully funded by Lululemon.
The course is being run through Swinburne Online allowing the staff to balance their study, work and personal lives.
The course has been tailored to incorporate Lululemon practices such as its approach to grassroots marketing. The course spans eight units and will cover personal skills for leaders, HR and staff management, marketing, operations, finance and strategic skills.
Lululemon employees will be able to complete the course over a 21 month period and intakes for the course occur yearly.
Lululemon Australia and New Zealand MD Paul Tinkler said that the business saw an opportunity to enhance its employees' careers.
"At Lululemon we identified an opportunity to support our team leaders in creating longevity for their business careers.
"The course reinforces the skills they already demonstrate and addresses any potential gaps in their learning, setting them up for success over the long term," he said.
Swinburne University of Technology executive director of pathways and vocational education operations Mish Eastman said that the partnership is an innovative way for Lululemon employees to further their skills.
"We are delighted to be partnering with Lululemon to offer their staff a flexible and innovative way to upskill through Swinburne Online.
"The partnership is a great example of the important role vocational training can play in helping people realise their ambitions.
"We look forward to seeing the students succeed in their studies and continue to excel in their careers," she said.
Lululemon staff who successfully complete the diploma will be eligible to apply for an undergraduate degree.
Additionally store managers who complete the Diploma of Business and have three years of full-time employment will be granted entry into the Graduate Certificate of Business Administration which leads into a Master of Business Administration.
Offered for the first time this year, the Lululemon x Swinburne Diploma of Business saw 14 managers commence study in March. They are expected to graduate by October 2020.