Walmart Offers Skilled Trade Jobs

https://www.ttnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/600x314_with_tt_orange_bar_overlay/public/2024-06/Walmart-1200.jpg
A Walmart fulfillment center. (Walmart Inc.)

Stay up to date with the latest transportation news by receiving TTNews directly in your email. ]

NEW YORK – Walmart offers new perks to its hourly U.S. employees, ranging from a bonus plan to the opportunity to move into specialized trade jobs within Walmart.

The initiative is similar to one it announced two year ago, which gave employees in its distribution centers and fulfillment centers the opportunity to become certified Walmart truckers by completing a 12-week course taught by experienced drivers.

The benefits program announced on June 5 comes at a time when the nation’s biggest private employer is reporting a decline in employee turnover. Walmart, like many other employers, is facing a competitive labor market, and employees are demanding more.

Walmart ranks No. The Top 100 list of private carriers in North America, published by Transport Topics, ranks Walmart No.

Walmart’s new bonus program for part-time and full time U.S. employees — including those at its pharmacy and Vision Centers – is based on the performance of their store, with maximum bonus potential tied to years’ experience.

Walmart said that a full-time employee who has worked for Walmart between one and five years could earn a maximum of $350 a year, whereas a worker with 20 years of experience can earn up to $1,000. The plan is available to 700,000.

Ken Eggen, of Wolf River Express and Robby Hamby, of Bridgestone Americas, discuss how fleets can collect data by acquiring the right tire monitoring tools. Tune in above or by going to RoadSigns.ttnews.com.

Walmart announced in January that its U.S. Store Managers would receive up $20,000 in Walmart Stock Grants every year.

The company based in Bentonville (Ark.) is also launching an hourly worker training program in its U.S. supply networks and stores. This will give these workers the opportunity to move up into roles such as facilities maintenance, refrigeration and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Walmart has said that it wants to increase the number of skilled tradespeople from 450 in the next two to around 2,000.

The company stated that the jobs pay between $19-$45 per hour and that workers will be paid while they are in training. Walmart’s average wage per hour is close to $18, a 30% increase over the last five years. Walmart’s starting wage for U.S. employees ranges between $14 and $19 per hour.

The program will begin with 100 workers from the Dallas-Fort Worth region. It is part the Walmart Academy, which is one of the nation’s largest skill-development programs.

Walmart announced its truck driver program for 2022 and said that it would be increasing the pay of its 12,000 drivers. New drivers can now earn between $95,000 and $101,000 a year. The retailer stated that the average salary for new truck drivers was $87,500 in their first year.

Anne Hatfield, a Walmart spokesperson, said that the program has produced over 500 new drivers. The program was launched in the spring 2022. This has helped the company to navigate an industry-wide shortage of drivers.

Walmart offers similar training and development for pharmacy technicians and optical technicians.

Walmart announced on June 5 that it will expand the number of skill certificates available in order to help front-line workers get into 100,000 jobs at the company which are more lucrative and in demand over the next three year. In 2020, there will be five certificates of skill. There are now 50.

Lo Stomski is Walmart’s Senior Vice President and Chief Talent Officer. He said that the certificates could be earned within four months.

<<<- Go Back