‘Learn while you earn’ builds loyalty for Uber Eats

Success story: Uber Eats

Summary:

  • Partner: Uber Eats
  • Sector: Private, delivery company
  • Challenges: Build loyalty among employees, for better retention
  • Solution: Short courses (microcredentials) and undergraduate degree courses through The Open University (OU)
  • Outcome: Positive positioning for the business, helping to attract employees

Background: Learning = Loyalty

Off the back of Uber’s long-term partnership programme with The Open University, Uber Eats wanted to also offer employees an opportunity to improve their learning, to help build loyalty.

When drivers became eligible, through earning points for their deliveries, they were offered the chance to enroll on a fully-funded course. They could also choose to nominate a family member if they wanted.

The Open University partnership started with the Uber Rides part of the business in 2019, and we witnessed the success and the engagement with that programme, hence we decided to extend that partnership to the Uber Eats programme in 2020.

Sami Dabbour,
Senior Strategy and Operations Manager, Uber

Expanded opportunities for career growth

Uber Eats drivers who became platinum members (of their in-house points programme) were able to access one short course per quarter and diamond members could access two microcredential courses per year.

One student of the programme, Isaac Paha, wanted to work as a courier so he could make time for working and studying. The OU and Uber Eats programme meant he could help to realise his career goal of working in IT.

This programme has brought hope and ambition to me. Before I could only dream of becoming an IT professional but Uber, through this sponsorship, made it a reality.

Isaac Paha,
Courier, Uber Eats

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Conclusion: An adaptable programme with impact

With the Uber Eats employees being typically younger than their colleagues at Uber Rides, the programme was adapted to focus more on offering short courses, including microcredentials.

This has led to increased engagement with employees and a positive impact for the business.

Given the current job market in the UK, we believe these perks will provide the differentiating factor for couriers to work and collaborate with Uber Eats.

Sami Dabbour
Senior Strategy and Operations Manager, Uber

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