One thing that most graduations have in common is that they give people hope for new opportunities. This was definitely the case at the seven Walmart training centers across the country where our Associate-to-Driver program graduates were held. This group of 72 friends was the biggest so far.

This class was also special because it was the first time employees from Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and the Sam’s Club Supply Chain could take part in the training. Only Walmart Supply Chain and Transportation employees could take part up until now.

And we’re making the program even bigger so that more and more Walmart employees across the country who want to drive for Walmart can take part. By the beginning of next year, anyone who works for the company and lives within 250 miles of a Transportation Office will be able to join.

191 associates have finished the Associate-to-Driver training as of today. Now that they have a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and are part of Walmart’s Private Fleet, they are on their way to making as much as $110,000 in their first year as a Walmart driver.

Ashley Milacek was one of the first store employees to finish school.

Ashely is from Gainesville, Texas, and works at Store 185. She is the perfect example of how to get things done. Since 2014, when she started working at Walmart, she has had five jobs at two different shops. She sees a problem, solves it, and then moves on to the next one. She has worked overnights, front-end, online shopping, and as a general manager. So, when she heard about the Associate-to-Driver program, she didn’t think twice. Her family was surprised, but she said that the training gave her everything she needed to do the job safely.

In December 2021, Walmart started the Associate-to-Driver program with the hope that it would lead to many more wins like this one. The goal is to give employees the chance to move up in their careers in ways that might surprise them.

And it does work!

Ronny Suggs’ story is also very moving. Ronny is from Bentonville, Arkansas, and his DC number is 6094. Ronny had been at Walmart, but he said that he was going through a hard time. Even though he had served his country, including a few tours of service in Iraq, he was now living on the streets. He didn’t give up, though. He worked in Supply Chain at Walmart again, and then he joined the Associate-to-Driver program. He said that the chance has made a big difference in his life.

Walmart has always been and will always be a place where people can find good jobs and end up making great careers. Walmart’s Private Fleet has always been a competitive advantage as well as a source of pride. It lets us achieve Every Day Low Costs so that we can keep our promise of Every Day Low Prices.

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