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Chelsea Walmart celebrates new training academy

by

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Shoppers at the Walmart in Chelsea may have noticed something a little different over the past several months. Earlier this summer, the Walmart store in their community became one of the many Walmart Academy Training programs nationwide.

Walmart started its academy program in 2016 as a way to train associates on the corporation’s “one best way” operating procedure, said Erica Jones, senior manager of corporate communications for Walmart. The programs are between two and six weeks, depending on the level of employment, and can focus on anything from inventory cycles to merchandising to zoning, Jones said.

“In addition to providing a strong talent pipeline for the company, … this is also going to provide a more consistent shopping experience for our customers,” Jones said.

The Chelsea Walmart was the fifth Alabama training academy and the 157th academy overall. On Aug. 3, the Walmart Academy celebrated with a ribbon cutting and graduation ceremony for individuals who went through the training program.

Prior to the graduation ceremony, several members of the Walmart Leadership Team addressed the graduates.

John Tow, regional general manager for region 1, said comparing the Walmart Academy to his training more than 30 years ago, he could see a stark difference. At that time, he said, he had to have a customer inform him that Walmart printed photographs.

“I will tell you, from that day to where we are today is nothing short of phenomenal, how far we’ve come,” Tow said. “We’re here to grow and succeed our associates, and [we’re] a company in today’s changing world, which requires new skills and the ability to meet the needs of the customer who needs to have more shopping choices than ever.”

Tow continued to say the training academy would help give employees the tools they need to succeed as well as to provide a good shopping experience for customers.

“These associates that you see before you today, among them could be the next CEO of the company,” Tow said. “The great thing, graduates, is all the resources are there for you, and the training is there for you. It’s up to you to decide to do that, as you have, by graduating and being part of the academy.”

Grace Gibson, the first female, African-America store manager in Alabama, was also a guest speaker. As she addressed the graduates and the audience, Gibson encouraged everyone to take advantage of the resources they have and to prepare themselves to “say yes.”

“There are a lot of opportunities with Walmart,” said Gibson, who started as a part time cashier. “You just have to start preparing yourself today …you have to be ready to say ‘yes.’”

The Chelsea Walmart was selected to be a Walmart Academy for multiple reasons, Jones said, including its centralized location. Walmart employees from 29 stores in the area will come to Chelsea to train, and about 90 associates will be trained each week. This location was also already working on the “one best way” process, Jones said, adding that the store was approved after a “very rigorous auditing process.”

“I think that it really speaks volumes to the fact that we’re taking these associates out of their home stores and into the Chelsea location to focus on learning and training,” she said.

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

During the ceremony, Walmart also donated more than $40,000 in grants to schools, nonprofits and other organizations in the area, including a combined more than $28,000 to the March of Dimes from multiple stores in the area. Teachers from Mt Laurel Elementary, Chelsea High School, Forest Oaks Elementary and Chelsea Middle School all received gift baskets with school supplies and $50 gift cards to use as needed.

The following grants were awarded:

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