Walmart adds to employee learning opportunity

Walmart’s Lifelong Learning Program is getting a boost from a new partnership with educational technology and services company Cengage Learning.



Cengage Learning has partnered with Walmart to offer accredited high school diplomas and credentialed career certificates through Career Online High School (COHS). Part of Walmart's Lifelong Learning program, COHS is free for Walmart associates beginning on the first day of their employment. To date, more than 130 associates have received their high school diploma through COHS, with another 433 currently enrolled.



Walmart's Lifelong Learning program provides associates access to no-cost or low-cost education programs including ESL, high school, career certificates, and college credit for prior learning. The program is part of a strategy that integrates training, education, and workforce development efforts for associates.



Students have up to 18 months to complete the program and may be able to complete it in as few as six months by transferring previously earned high school credits. Once enrolled, the COHS program pairs each student with an academic coach. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform.



"One of the best ways to create opportunity in America is through access to education and training," stated Brian Poland, director of Walmart Lifelong Learning & Talent Development. "We believe a high school diploma paves the way for a better future – at Walmart or beyond."