Despite the tight labor market, both Walmart and Amazon are planning ambitious hiring sprees, with both retail giants aiming to improve their logistics. Walmart will hire 20,000 supply chain associates while Amazon is hiring “tens of thousands” of hourly workers for its operations network — on top of seeking more than 40,000 workers for corporate and tech roles.
Walmart is hosting special hiring events on Sept. 8-9 to fill positions at more than 250 Walmart and Sam’s Club distribution centers, fulfillment centers and transportation offices. The retailer will hire permanent workers for roles including order fillers, freight handlers, lift drivers, technicians and management positions in both full- and part-time capacities.
The average wage for a Walmart supply chain associate is $20.37 per hour, which could give the retail giant an edge when it comes to attracting talent. Walmart also has opened six new Walmart Academies to support its supply chain business by offering associates a training program for skills like leadership, communications and change management. Additionally, the retailer will pay 100% of the cost of associates’ tuition and books at 10 partner schools through its Live Better U program.
“We know that financial stability, health benefits, family support and career development opportunities are all critical factors to weigh when considering a job, and we aim not to just meet but exceed our associates’ expectations on each of these fronts,” said Joe Metzger, EVP of Supply Chain Operations, and Karisa Sprague, SVP, People, Supply Chain at Walmart U.S. in a statement.
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Amazon Emphasizes on Training Opportunities
Amazon will hold its own Career Day on Sept. 15. The event will include more than 20,000 personalized career-coaching sessions with Amazon recruiters. They will offer advice regarding entry-level positions in Amazon’s logistics network and corporate roles at its tech hubs, as well as for engineering, sustainability, data science, marketing, human resources and finance roles.
Other opportunities include thousands of one-on-one career-coaching sessions for Amazon employees; coding workshops led by Amazon software development engineers; and a “How to Interview at Amazon” breakout session. The event also will feature authors David Epstein and Carla Harris, who will provide advice on how job seekers can start, build or transition their careers.
“We’re working hard every day to be the best place for people to have satisfying and fulfilling long-term careers,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in a statement. “Amazon continues to grow quickly and relentlessly invent across many areas, and we’re hoping that Career Day gives both job seekers and current Amazon employees the support they need to learn new skills or reimagine their careers at Amazon or elsewhere.”
Amazon has hired more than 450,000 people since the beginning of the pandemic and saw its highest ever one-week number of job applications during its September 2020 career day. The retailer is aiming to increase its total global tech and corporate staff by 20% at its latest career day.
