Walmart has announced it will be expanding the Live Better U program, which is the brand’s education programs, to all part-time and full-time employees on their first day of employment. This program has been designed to help working adult learners, and wherever they are in terms of education, Walmart will help them on their degree completion with multiple support elements such as free student coaching, college credit for Walmart training, and career pathways for LBU graduates.
“The current economic climate has only added urgency to the need for practical training and education opportunities for Americans, especially those who do not fit the historic profile of a fulltime student,” said Julie Murphy, Executive Vice President of People of Walmart U.S., in the Walmart press release. “By adding both digital courses and skilled trades to our education benefit, associates have access to even more in-demand skills, so they can advance their careers, whether at Walmart or elsewhere.”
In the time since the program was launched, which was June 2018, it has:
- Created one of the largest employer-based educational benefit programs in the United States, according to the Walmart press release
- The majority of the associates who have been involved with the program are female, the average age is between 30 and 40, and 47 percent are people of color
- More than 25,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club associates from all 50 states have used the education programs, including $1 a day college degrees and free high school completion
- With this announcement, Walmart is now expanding LBU to all part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam’s Club associates starting on the first day of their employment
“We’ve been thrilled to work alongside Walmart to help build what is now one of the largest education benefit programs in the U.S. and has empowered Walmart associates to advance their career, without student debt,” Rachel Carlson, CEO and Co-Founder of Guild Education said, in the same news release. “With the expansion into skilled trades and digital programs, Live Better U is helping its associates prepare to succeed in today’s accelerated future of work economy.”
According to the press release, research has shown a strong correlation between a level of investment by individuals and education completion rates. Most of the programs can be completed in a year or less.
“One of the most exciting aspects of LBU is that those enrolled have significantly higher retention rates in their jobs at Walmart. Promotion rates are double amongst those who engage in an LBU program. Our goal in rolling back the eligibility date to first day of employment is part of a strategy to engage associates on day one and identify these self-starters early in their Walmart careers,” Murphy said.