Walmart (WMT) on Monday said it is launching a program to train its frontline workers as opticians, aiming to address a labor shortage in the optical sector, Bloomberg News reported.
The initiative will provide up to two years of training, including coaching, certifications, and a degree in optician science, at a cost of more than $20,000 per employee. Workers who complete the program could nearly double their pay. It will initially roll out in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Connecticut, with 30 participants selected from 90 applicants. Employees will continue working while undergoing training.
Walmart (WMT) said the effort is part of a broader push to build an internal talent pipeline and reduce reliance on external hiring, as the roughly $70 billion optical market faces staffing shortages.