Walmart to Pay 100% of College Tuition and Books for Associates
July 27 2021 - 9:58AM
Business Wire
The largest U.S. private employer commits to
invest nearly $1 billion over the next five years in career-driven
training and development
Today, Walmart announced it will pay 100% of college tuition and
books for associates through its Live Better U (LBU) education
program. Starting Aug. 16, the $1 a day fee will be removed for
associates, making all education programs paid for by Walmart. This
means approximately 1.5 million part-time and full-time Walmart and
Sam’s Club associates in the U.S. can earn college degrees or learn
trade skills without the burden of education debt. As the largest
U.S. private employer, Walmart is committing to invest nearly $1
billion over the next five years in career-driven training and
development.
“We are creating a path of opportunity for our associates to
grow their careers at Walmart, so they can continue to build better
lives for themselves and their families,” said Lorraine Stomski,
Senior Vice President of Learning and Leadership at Walmart. “This
investment is another way we can support our associates to pursue
their passion and purpose while removing the barriers that too
often keep adult working learners from obtaining degrees.”
The LBU program was initially designed after consulting with
experts, reviewing other employer provided education programs, and
studying the research around what helps drive completion rates
among adult working learners. This helped guide the initial $1 a
day approach, but the economy and job market have changed, and
Walmart is always looking for new ways to encourage more associates
to pursue further education.
“We’re also excited to add in-demand college degree and
certificate options in business administration, supply chain and
cybersecurity. These additional offerings join a robust catalog of
programs to set associates up for new career opportunities,” said
Stomski. “Our education offerings tie directly to our growth areas
at Walmart, and what better way to fill the pipeline of future
talent than with our own associates.”
In addition, Walmart will add four academic partners, including
Johnson & Wales University, the University of Arizona, the
University of Denver and Pathstream. These complement the existing
partners: Brandman University, Penn Foster, Purdue University
Global, Southern New Hampshire University, Wilmington University
and Voxy EnGen. Each of these institutions were chosen for their
history of success with adult and working learner programs as well
as their focus on degree completion.
Walmart is committed to eliminate the burden of education debt.
Cost is a leading barrier for earning a degree with student-loan
debt in the U.S. topping $1.7 trillion. Since launching LBU in
2018, more than 52,000 associates have participated in the program
to date and 8,000 have already graduated. Nearly 28,000 associates
have been active in a LBU program this summer.
"As the company making one of the nation's largest investments
in education for America's workforce, Walmart is setting a new
standard for what it looks like to prepare workers for the jobs of
the future," said Rachel Carlson, CEO & Co-Founder of Guild.
"Walmart is creating growth opportunities for their workforce and
preparing them for the future of work.”
When an associate enrolls in LBU and earns a certificate or
degree, they take important steps toward creating a long-term
career within the Walmart ecosystem. For more information about
Live Better U, our academic partners and degree options, click
here.
Other leadership quotes
“We are thrilled to partner with Guild Education and Walmart in
our mission to deliver Arizona’s world-class higher education
programs to working adult learners in a flexible, engaging and
highly effective way. We are honored to be a part of the
industry-leading Live Better U program at the nation’s largest
private employer and look forward to welcoming Walmart and Sam’s
Club associates into the Wildcat family.” University of Arizona
President, Dr. Robert C. Robbins, M.D.
“The University of Denver is passionately committed to working
adult learners. “Through this partnership with Walmart and Guild
Education, approximately 1.5 million associates will now have
access to DU’s programs, completely funded by their employer. We
are proud to be a part of this moment for Live Better U and every
moment to come on associates’ upcoming educational journeys.”
University of Denver Chancellor, Dr. Jeremy Haefner.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save
money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores,
online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately
220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores
and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites.
With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2
million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.
Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting
https://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at
https://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/walmart.
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