From day one, Target’s U.S. team members can access Dream to Be — our education assistance benefit offering tuition-free or partially funded programs. Whether they’re finishing high school, pursuing higher education or building new skills in areas like AI, analytics or merchandising, Dream to Be removes barriers to learning and helps team members grow their careers, transform their lives, and drive Target’s growth and innovation.
Dream to Be has helped me learn to lead at the best level possible. I was challenged to think differently, pushed to consider other ways of working and taught the right answer can be achieved through many avenues.
10,000 dreams and counting
Since launching in September 2021, more than 10,000 Target team members have graduated from Dream to Be programs earning degrees, professional certificates and other educational achievements. Each graduate represents a unique story of growth and possibility — proof that when opportunity is accessible, big things happen.
Dream to Be is a powerful reflection of our commitment to team members’ growth and development. As they build new skills, advance their careers and achieve personal goals, they also help Target reach new milestones. Celebrating 10,000 graduates is a proud achievement, but the true impact shines through in the everyday progress our team members make — moving themselves, and Target, forward.
Program access and offerings
U.S.-based Target team members are eligible for Dream to Be — whether they’re part-time or full-time, from their first day at Target. Through our partnership with Guild, these team members have access to one of the broadest selections in retail education benefits. They can take advantage of approximately 500 tuition-free or partially funded programs, including undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees, certificates, language learning, high school completion, bootcamps and more, across more than 40 schools, colleges and universities.
Programs available through Dream to Be
Schools, colleges and universities Dream to Be team members can attend
To me this program was more than an investment in my personal development. It shows Target’s commitment to building up every team member and helping us harness our potential.
Dream to Be is one way Target backs team members’ ambitions with real resources so they can grow in the ways that are meaningful to them. From learning new skills to completing long-held educational goals, Target team members get to choose what growth looks like for them.
Team member impact
Since Target launched Dream to Be in September 2021, there have been more than 40,000 enrollments in the program and over 10,000 team members have graduated. In that time, we have invested $300 million in team members — a reflection of our commitment to helping team members learn, grow and achieve their goals.
Dream to Be graduates
Invested in team members
Enrollments
Business impact
As team members build new skills and earn degrees, they’re not just advancing their own careers — they’re supporting their families’ futures, strengthening our teams and fueling Target’s long-term success. And it shows: hourly team members enrolled in Dream to Be have a 76% lower turnover rate and are 3.5 times more likely to be promoted.
Lower turnover rate for hourly employees enrolled in Dream to Be
Higher rate of promotion for hourly store employees enrolled in Dream to Be
The program has given me the confidence and skills to be a more effective team member and prepared me for future career opportunities within Target.
Program growth over time
Dream to Be has grown alongside our team members. We listen to their feedback and evolve the program to help them thrive at Target and beyond. For example, team members wanted their hard work on the job to count toward their education, so we now offer college credit for select Target training programs and are expanding to include more programs each year.
We’ve also continued to expand our academic catalog based on team member needs and emerging disciplines. That includes adding more language-learning options in addition to English, such as Spanish, French, German and more – and introducing new courses in fast-growing fields like AI. By regularly refreshing our offerings, we ensure team members have access to the most relevant opportunities for their growth.
In my job we get calls from Spanish speaking guests. Before my Spanish Language Learning program I would have to rely solely on an interpreter. While I still work with interpreters sometimes, I feel more confident in my communications and I’m interested in opportunities to use these skills to help bridge communication gaps.
At Target, learning and development is a priority at every stage of a team member’s journey. Dream to Be extends that commitment – expanding opportunity for our team and our business, one course, one credential and one story at a time.
I’ve gained greater confidence both professionally and personally through Target’s Dream to Be program. It’s been incredibly rewarding — and given me a strong advantage for when I'm ready to take the next step in my career.