Walmart is expanding its educational benefits program to prepare its workforce for “future-proof and future-focused roles” through skilled trades training, according to finance.yahoo.com.
During summer 2018, Walmart began offering its 1.5 million U.S. associates debt-free college as part of its $1-a-day college tuition perk called “Live Better U.” The program—which used to kick in after 90 days of employment but now is available from the first day—has been popular with Walmart’s workers.
“While the economy and our company will continue to be technology-driven, we also recognized that the U.S. suffers from a skilled trades talent gap,” said Drew Holler, senior vice president of associate experience at Walmart.
Walmart partnered with Penn Foster, a for-profit online career school, to offer its associates the opportunity to earn certificates across trades, including facilities and industrial maintenance, HVAC/refrigeration, electrical, plumbing and construction. Upon earning a workforce certificate in a trade, Walmart will help associates find a relevant entry level role at Walmart or with a member of Walmart’s contractor network.
Originally, the Live Better U program offered degrees in business, leadership and management. A year ago, it expanded to offer technology-focused and health-related degrees. Through Live Better U, Walmart students can earn degrees through Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, Wilmington University, University of Florida, Brandman University, and Bellevue University.
More than 25,000 full-time and part-time associates have enrolled in the Live Better U Program. So far, the associates completed more than $58 million worth of college credits, and more than 3,000 have completed one of the debt-free degrees.
