Walmart Debuts 100th Training Academy

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has opened its 100th training academy in the United States, in Edmond, Okla. Introduced in 2016, Walmart training academies are now present in 40 states.

“Everything we do begins with our associates,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO of the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer. “That’s why we have invested in training academies for associates to further develop the skills they need to better serve customers and succeed in today’s retail environment. Walmart is a place where anyone can fulfill their potential.”

The academies are dedicated facilities where associates learn about retail fundamentals and area-specific skills. The curriculum now covers more than 65 positions, among them customer service manager, online grocery pickup and assistant store manager. Associates receive training through a combination of classroom and sales floor exercises, with access to such technology as tablet computers and cloud storage for training materials. Associates who undergo training academy programs are also able to earn while they gain additional marketable skills that not only help them with their current jobs, but prepare them for their next-level positions.

“These investments are paying off for our customers through cleaner stores, friendlier service and faster checkout times,” noted McMillon.

The mega-retailer plans to have 200 academies operating across all 50 states by the end of summer. Since 2016, more than 52,000 associates have graduated, with 225,000-plus associates slated to complete their training in 2017.

Walmart operates 11,695 stores under 59 banners in 28 countries, and ecommerce websites in 11 countries.