Walmart, the largest private employer in the U.S., has announced new perks and career opportunities for its hourly workers to reduce turnover and address a competitive labor market. The new bonus plan for eligible part-time and full-time store workers, including those in pharmacies and Vision Centers, ties potential bonuses to store performance and years of experience. For instance, a full-time worker with one to five years of service can earn up to $350 annually, while a 20-year veteran can earn up to $1,000. This plan will benefit 700,000 U.S. workers.
Additionally, Walmart is launching a training program aimed at moving hourly employees into skilled trade jobs, such as facilities maintenance, HVAC, and automation. The program, part of Walmart Academy, will start with 100 workers in Dallas-Fort Worth and aims to increase skilled trades workers from 450 to 2,000 within two years. These roles pay between $19 and $45 per hour, and training is paid.
Walmart is also expanding its skills certificates program, now offering 50 certificates, up from five in 2020, in areas like data science and project management. The initiative aims to fast-track workers into 100,000 higher-paying, in-demand jobs over the next three years. These moves come as Walmart reports strong financial results and attracts higher-income shoppers seeking value amid inflation.
