How Much Training Does Walmart Give New Employees – What You Can Expect

Starting a new job can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it comes to training. As a new employee at Walmart, you may be curious about the type and extent of training you will receive to ensure you are well-equipped for your role. 

With over 2.3 million associates worldwide, the training is thorough, and they’ve built many systems to help associates across the board. Some of the training techniques Walmart uses include work/task analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and organizational analysis, which help maximize the effectiveness of its programs.

To help you understand the training experience at Walmart, here are a few key points:

• Walmart performs a needs analysis to identify and address the specific training requirements for different roles.
• The company makes schedules available two weeks in advance, making planning training sessions easier and maintaining a work-life balance.
• Walmart also offers financial well-being benefits through their 401(k) match and associate stock purchase plan match to support your long-term career growth.

Let’s get more into Walmart’s training approach so you can get an idea of what your first few days and weeks might look like on the job! 

A Look Into Walmart’s Training Approach

Walmart believes in providing its associates with the necessary support and training to grow and develop. Here’s a bit of what you can expect regarding leadership expectations and task-based training. 

Leadership Expectations

As a new employee, you can expect to participate in leadership development courses offered through their Global Walmart Academy. These courses aim to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to excel in your role.

Some of the critical aspects of Walmart’s leadership training are:

1. Communication: Developing effective communication skills for better collaboration and decision-making.
2. Problem-solving: Learning how to address issues and find innovative solutions.
3. Time management: Balancing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.

On-the-Job Education

The best way to understand your role at Walmart is to get training on the floor. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen an associate new to the job working directly with supervisors and other managers to learn their role, check out customers, and much more. 

So, if you’re starting out with Walmart, your on-the-job education will consist of various elements, such as:

• Work/Task Analysis: Understanding your role’s specific tasks and responsibilities.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Learning how to prioritize tasks effectively and make the best decisions possible.
• Organizational Analysis: Developing an understanding of Walmart’s overall operations, strategies, and corporate culture.

While training at Walmart, you may also find yourself learning:

1. Customer service skills
2. Cashier responsibilities
3. Inventory management
4. Safety guidelines
5. Time management

You can also expect cross-training, which broadens your skillset and provides additional scheduling flexibility. Besides, understanding other roles outside of your own helps make sure you can assist when emergencies arise, and it’ll also help you figure out what kind of help you can give or ask for during your shifts. 

Virtual Discussions

Walmart believes communication and collaboration are key to improving employee performance and customer satisfaction. As a result, you may participate in virtual discussions with your team members, managers, and other employees to share knowledge, learn from each other, and discuss best practices. 

These virtual gatherings help foster a friendly and supportive work environment where you can address customer service-related concerns and real-life scenarios.

Training At The Walmart Academy

The onboarding process at Walmart consists of a combination of in-person and mobile app experiences. Over 400,000 U.S. associates have been trained through Walmart Academy since its inception, making it an essential part of the company’s corporate ecosystem to create a unified learning experience.

If you’re about to enroll at the Walmart Academy for your employee training, then you’ll probably find yourself asking these questions below:

Are Walmart employees given hands-on training?

Did you know Walmart has an academy dedicated to helping train employees? It’s neat and helps associates of all levels get up to speed on the company’s needs. 

And yes, Walmart employees receive hands-on training at the Walmart Academy. This dedicated training center is located in or near Walmart Supercenters. Through the academy, front-line hourly supervisors, department managers, and assistant managers are trained in various skills and responsibilities to excel in their roles.

It’s a great way to get introduced to the company so that you won’t feel overwhelmed when you get on the floor. 

What is the duration of Walmart’s employee training?

The duration of Walmart’s employee training varies, ranging from two to six weeks, depending on the role and the level of responsibility. This intensive training helps you as an employee to grow your confidence and improve your skills in your position.

During this period, employees can take courses tailored to that store’s specific needs. 

Some of the topics include:

1. Customer service
2. Merchandising
3. Operational efficiency
4. Leadership and teambuilding

Keep in mind the Walmart training is held during the day and usually anytime during your shifts. The training is paid hourly as well.

Are there training videos for new Walmart employees?

Yes, there are training videos available for new Walmart employees. These videos supplement the hands-on training provided by Walmart Academy and aim to enhance your understanding of the company’s policies, procedures, and best practices.

Supporting the Supply Chain

Being a Walmart associate is great, but there’s much more to that when it comes to making the company work. Walmart values a strong supply chain to keep its operations running smoothly, and that means training extends to drivers, logistics team members, and much more. 

Let’s take a look at the different facets of Walmart’s approach to supporting its supply chain, including training for drivers and technology enhancements.

Training for Drivers

Walmart takes the training of its drivers seriously. They understand the importance of skilled drivers as part of their supply chain operations, so they invest heavily in driver training programs. You’ll find Walmart collaborating with industry organizations like the American Trucking Association to develop and implement driver training programs designed to meet the needs of its members.

Some aspects of the training include:

1. Enhancing skills to navigate complex distribution and fulfillment centers
2. Mastering safety protocols and techniques for on-time delivery
3. Strengthening communication and teamwork between drivers and other supply chain professionals

Technology Enhancements

Walmart constantly works on technology enhancements for its supply chain operations to make your job easier and more efficient. These improvements can greatly impact your driver’s or other supply chains’ professional workflow. Some of these technology enhancements include:

• Advanced navigation systems to guide you to your destination with precision
• Data-driven tools that predict demand and maintain optimal inventory levels
• Collaborative robots designed to assist you in picking and packaging processes within the distribution and fulfillment centers

As you can imagine, utilizing these resources would require a ton of training for a new employee. However, it’s all designed to make your job easier, so embracing these technological advancements is crucial. 

Does Walmart Re-Train Employees

As a Walmart associate, it’s essential to continuously learn and grow. If you find that your initial training has yet to prepare you for specific situations fully or need a refresher, feel free to ask for additional training or guidance from your leaders.

Although training methods and content may vary from store to store, Walmart is continuously working towards delivering quality training to its employees. By honing your skills and increasing your versatility, you’ll be well-prepared for the diverse experiences in the Walmart world. 

As the company evolves, so do the associates’ skills and responsibilities.