Walmart Drives Opportunity with Expansion of Associate-to-Driver Program

Walmart recently announced its plans to expand its Associate-to-Driver program which launched last year. The program was designed to assist employees working in stores, distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and transportation offices to become drivers.

Walmart associates at more than 400 stores, distribution centers, fulfillment centers and transportation offices within a 50-mile radius of a participating company transportation office will be eligible to apply to the Associate-to-Driver program, according to a company news release.

This program offers a fast track to a successful trucking career. After just 12 weeks of training, drivers can now step directly into the driver’s seat on Walmart’s team and earn up to $110,000 in their first year on the road – a salary that could increase over time based on factors like tenure and location.  Considering the average salary for a general long-haul drivers is $56,491, Walmart’s starting salary at almost double that –  coupled with this fast track option, it’s understandable that this program has been  a success.

Launching as a pilot program, within the first year Walmart saw success with their 12-week training program for supply chain associates, resulting in 56 drivers from the Dallas and Dover areas earning their CDL and becoming long-haul drivers for the retailer. The company’s move to support its workforce was further demonstrated by increased pay rates among drivers around the same time the program was launched.

“Walmart associates have long been interested in stepping into these driver roles themselves but felt limited by the time and expense of the training required,” said Fernando Cortes, senior vice president, transportation, in a website post. “That’s why the launch of our Fleet Development program last year was such a game changer.”

Source: LandLine