Walmart Expands Academy Training to Warehouse Workers

Walmart, which has used a revamped approach to training to help reinvigorate its stores and retain and advance its employees, is now applying a similar tactic to its supply chain.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer’s first Walmart Supply Chain Academy, in Sanger, Texas, graduated its first class on Sept. 27. The facility provides classroom training for warehouse associates and is modeled after the 200 Walmart academy sites used to train store associates.

The company said the academy would provide workers with new skills and the ability to meet the needs of customers who have more shopping choices than ever before.

"Within the Walmart supply chain, we are focused on creating a great place to work where our more than 100,000 associates can be empowered to solve problems for our business,” Greg Smith, EVP of Walmart U.S. supply chain, said in a statement. “This first Supply Chain Academy is a pivotal step on that journey. North central Texas customers will see the impact of the training and hard work of these graduates on the shelves of the more than 140 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs this distribution center serves.”

All Walmart academies have a dedicated staff who provide training to position associates to succeed in their current roles and provide a path for career growth with the company. The Sanger academy’s area of study will include leadership, safety, supply chain foundations and area-specific training.

“Walmart stands apart from our competitors in both the retail and supply chain industries by providing full-time, permanent positions with great pay in all areas of the country,” said Steve Miller, VP of supply chain people. “This is yet another example of Walmart’s commitment to investing in our people so that they can live better and grow in a field that is rapidly evolving.”

Walmart said it plans to expand the academy program to more distribution centers across the country over the next two years. Each Supply Chain Academy will serve about 15 distribution centers.