“Walmart Canada has announced that it will invest in its staff to help them cover the costs of getting an education. Through its Live Better U (LBU) education program, the giant retailer will lay out $50 million over five years for the program, to “cover the cost of tuition, books, and course fees for associates,” the company said in a release.
The program is part of an effort by Walmart to ensure that its associates have the skills needed for the future.
“We believe there is a path for everyone at Walmart and we want to remove barriers to high quality education,” said AnnMarie Mercer, chief people officer, Walmart Canada.
Walmart says the LBU program offers a path for all associates, whether they’re looking to accelerate their growth, get in-demand credentials, or receive a degree or licensing for a specialized role. The course offerings were selected based on the new and future needs of the business. Some offerings include:
- Growth accelerators such as English as a Second Language, French as a Second Language and GED courses
- In-demand courses and certificates such as project management, data analytics, omni retail, ecommerce, business communications, and strategy
- Degrees and licensing for pharmacy technicians and opticians, with more to come
The retailer wants to ensure associates are trained and equipped with the skills they need for the future so that they stay and grow with Walmart Canada. All eligible permanent part-time, full-time, and salaried Walmart Canada associates can apply to LBU. The program has been available at Walmart in the U.S. for the past five years and this year has been expanded to Canadian associates. It’s been recognized as a way to reduce turnover and build camaraderie among staff. In the U.S., nearly 120,000 Walmart associates have taken advantage of the program to date.
“We’re proud that through LBU, we’re offering our associates a program designed with them in mind,” Mercer added. “LBU meets associates where they are on their educational journey by offering online, flexible programs to help them balance work, life, and school.”
