Team members in 200 domestic stores will have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma online tuition free

LOS ANGELES, CA; December 1, 2016 — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf ® has announced they will offer Team Members the opportunity to complete their high school education via Cengage Learning’s Career Online High School. The private, accredited program will be available to employees at no charge.

“We are excited to pilot this new educational benefit,” said Barbara Stewart, Vice President, Human Resources at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®.  “The Coffee Bean is dedicated to expanding career and educational opportunities for our valued Team Members.”

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has been Southern California’s homegrown coffee and tea retailer for more than 50 years. This initial pilot will target Team Members in 200 domestic stores as a means of support for their continuing education and personal growth.

“This is a great investment in The Coffee Bean’s dedicated staff,” continued Ms. Stewart. “Providing access for Team Members to further their education enhances their career possibilities while enabling us to promote from within and build a highly skilled workforce.”

The program includes a career-credentialed certification earned concurrently with the high school diploma in areas such as food and hospitality, retail customer service, and general professional skills.

“The career-focused program gives employees the tangible skills to hit the ground running in the workplace,” stated Dr. Howard Liebman, the founder and district superintendent of Career Online High School. “We are proud to partner with a company that shares our commitment to helping workers grow their careers by reengaging them in education.”

About The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States. Embodying a passion for connecting loyal guests to one another with carefully handcrafted products, the company is known for sourcing and providing the finest ingredients and flavors from around the world.  For over 50 years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has demonstrated a passion for product innovation epitomized by The Original Ice Blended® drink. The company has grown to be an international icon and currently has over 1,000 stores in nearly 30 countries. Please visit CoffeeBean.com for more information.

About Career Online High School 
Career Online High School was developed in 2012 through a partnership by ed2go, a division of Cengage Learning that provides students with online continuing education and career training, and Smart Horizons Career Online Education in an effort to provide affordable, career-based online education opportunities for the millions of adults in the United States without high school diplomas. Since its launch, Career Online High School has been recognized as part of a Commitment to Action by the Clinton Global Initiative and acknowledged at the White House College Opportunity Summit. Visit careeronlinehs.org.