Walmart is launching an Associate to Optician training program for employees. The free training program joins the retailer’s existing technician and driver career pathways.
According to Walmart, the programs help employees build in-demand skills, earn professional credentials, and qualify for higher-paying roles within the company.
Walmart Introduces Associate to Optician Program
According to an official news release, the Associate to Optician program helps eligible employees pursue careers in licensed vision care through its Live Better U education benefit. The benefit covers tuition and eligible education expenses for participating employees.
Associates working outside Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers can enroll in the program for an associate degree in Optical Science. As part of the program, they will also receive practical clinical training.
The news release adds that associates can save more than $20,000 on education and training costs through this program.
According to Walmart, licensed opticians earn an average starting wage of nearly $33.75 per hour, depending on licensing requirements and local market conditions.
The retailer adds that the first group of associates joining the program has between one and 30 years of experience with the company. According to Walmart, the range of experience among participants reflects the program’s accessibility to employees at different stages of their careers.
Walmart also highlighted the experience of Sheena Thompson, who became a licensed optician through an apprenticeship. This was years before the Associate to Optician program came into being. According to the company, her experience led to the creation of the new program.
Thompson originally worked as a front-end team associate before being encouraged by her store’s optical manager to pursue an apprenticeship in the Vision Center. While she hesitated at first, she eventually completed training for years and passed several certification exams. Thompson became a licensed optician during her third attempt at Nevada’s licensing examination.
Although she did not participate in the latest program, the retailer said her career journey showed how associates can move up to licensed healthcare professions from entry-level retail positions.
Associate to Technician Program Adds New Training Site in Atlanta
The latest initiative for associates follows the retail brand’s current career development programs.
One initiative is the Associate to Technician program, which prepares employees for careers in HVAC, refrigeration, and electrical systems. Walmart plans to expand the program with a new training site in Atlanta. In addition, it is going to hike the pay for General Maintenance Technicians from $19–$35 per hour to $26–$51, representing an average increase of nearly 40%.
There is also an Associate to Driver program, which has assisted over 1,000 associate employees at the retail company to get the Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). The retail company takes care of their training, certifications, and lodging costs while the associates stay employed during the program.
The new optician program expands Walmart’s internal workforce development initiatives, giving employees additional pathways to licensed and skilled professions.
