Giving Compass' Take:

· Walmart recently announced a new benefit for associates: education. According to Greg Foran, CEO of Walmart, the new education benefit is designed to knock out barriers of enrollment and graduation for employees. Workers will be given access to quality, affordable education in Business or Supply Chain Management.

· Is access to education enough to get workers through the program? What else to working students need to succeed?

· Read about boosting college completion.

Walmart has unveiled a new associate education benefit designed to remove barriers to college enrollment and graduation. The program is another step in the company’s commitment to train and educate workers to advance in the jobs of today – and the future.

In partnership with Guild Education, a leading education benefits platform, Walmart associates will be able to access affordable, high-quality associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Business or Supply Chain Management. Under the program, which will be made available to all Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates, Walmart will subsidize the cost of higher education, beyond financial aid and an associate contribution equivalent to $1 a day. Degrees will be offered through the University of Florida, Brandman University and Bellevue University – nonprofit schools selected for their focus and strong outcomes on serving working adult learners.

Investing in the personal and professional success of our associates is vital to Walmart’s future success. We know training and learning opportunities empower associates to deliver for customers while growing and advancing in their careers.  – Greg Foran, CEO of Walmart U.S.

Highlights of the program include:

  • Affordability
  • Relevance
  • Accessibility
  • Support

Read the full article about Walmart's new education benefit at Patch.