MISSISSAUGA, ON, September 12, 2023 – Today, in an effort to ensure its associates have the skills needed for the future, Walmart Canada announced it will cover associate tuition, books and course fees through its program Live Better U (LBU).
This program represents an investment of $50 million over the next five years in associate learning and career development, delivered through programs at leading schools across Canada.
“We believe there is a path for everyone at Walmart and we want to remove barriers to high-quality education,” said AnnMarie Mercer, director of human resources for Walmart Canada. “We are proud that through LBU, we offer our associates a program designed for them. LBU meets its associates where they are in their educational journey by offering flexible online programs to help them balance work, life private and studies.
LBU offers a pathway for all associates, whether they are looking to accelerate their growth, gain in-demand qualifications, or earn a degree or license for a specialist role. The course offerings have been curated based on new and future business needs. Some offers include:
- Growth accelerators such as English as a Second Language, French as a Second Language and GED classes;
- Highly demanded courses and certificates such as project management, data analytics, omni retail, e-commerce, communications and business strategy; duck
- Diplomas and licenses for pharmacy technicians and opticians, with more to come.
The retailer wants to ensure its associates are trained and equipped with the skills of the future so they stay and grow at Walmart Canada. All eligible permanent part-time, full-time and salaried Walmart Canada associates are eligible to apply to LBU.
“LBU has been a game-changer in the U.S. over the past five years, and we are excited to expand our footprint and offer this life-changing benefit to even more Walmart associates,” said Lorraine Stomski, Vice President -Senior President, Associate Learning and Leadership, Global People, Walmart. “Our participants are more likely to be promoted and less likely to leave the company than their peers, which means it helps our people and our business. Nearly 120,000 Walmart associates in the United States have taken advantage of the opportunity to grow within the company while building a better future and a better life. We look forward to seeing this impact continue to grow with this expansion.
LBU is the latest offering in a comprehensive learning and development offering at Walmart Canada. Last year, they launched an internal talent marketplace: an AI-powered platform that provides visibility into career paths within the company. Additionally, associates have access to OnDemand learning platforms, including Harvard Spark, Harvard ManageMentor and ExecOnline.
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a chain of more than 400 stores nationwide, serving 1.5 million customers every day. Walmart Canada’s flagship online store, Walmart.ca, is visited daily by more than 1.5 million customers. With more than 100,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of the largest employers in Canada and ranks among the top 10 most influential brands in the country. Walmart Canada was recently recognized as one of the LinkedIn Best Companies of 2022 and was also named one of the most popular brands in Canada (based on Google searches). Walmart Canada is committed to regeneration – focusing on equitable opportunity, sustainability, community, ethics and integrity. Since 1994, Walmart Canada has raised more than $650 million to support communities across Canada. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca and Walmart Canada social media pages – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram duck LinkedIn.
