Content area
Full text
Walmart expands education program
Walmart has expanded its partnership with Cengage, an education and technology company, to offer all employees and their benefits-eligible family members the opportunity to earn accredited high-school diplomas and career certificates.
Offered through Walmart’s lifelong learning program, Career Online High School (COHS) is designed to re-engage adults in education and is free for Walmart employees and eligible family beginning on the first day of their employment. To date, 200 associates have received their high-school diploma through COHS, while another 400 are currently enrolled.
“Walmart was the first retailer to provide Career Online High School to employees and is continuing to lead by expanding the program to family members,” said Jonathan Lau, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, skills group, Cengage. “Providing free access to the program for eligible family members of associates is a testament to the success and impact the COHS program has had and to the commitment to workforce development.”
“Walmart believes education opens doors,” said Brian Poland, Director of Walmart lifelong learning and talent development. “Career Online High School allows employees to create additional opportunities while working at Walmart, and we are excited to provide these educational offerings to eligible family members as well.”
Walmart’s lifelong learning program provides employees with access to no-cost or low-cost education programs including English as a second language, high-school, career certificates, and a comprehensive college credit for prior learning program. The COHS program is part of Walmart’s overall upskilling strategy that integrates training, education and workforce development efforts to create opportunity for associates and their families.
In addition to an accredited high school diploma, program graduates earn a career certificate in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields across a wide spectrum, from retail and customer service to certified transportation.
Students have up to 18 months to complete their courses and may be able to complete the program in as few as six months by transferring previously earned high-school credits.
The Walmart lifelong learning COHS program pairs each student with an academic coach, who helps with developing an individual career plan, offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have round-the-clock...