Walmart paves a career path for returning veterans

QUESTION: Why is it important for employers to hire veterans? 

ANSWER: Hiring a veteran is one of the best decisions a company can make. At Walmart we are grateful for the sacrifice our nation’s veterans, military men and women, and their families have made in service to our country. It is not only our duty, but our honor to support our men and women in uniform not only when they are on the battlefield, but also when they return home and transition to civilian life. We are committed to helping these men and women as they face this important juncture through job opportunities, as well as support for programs that provide the job training, transition support and education they may need. 

Q: What skills do they bring to the workforce?

A: Veterans bring invaluable skills to business. They have a record of performance under pressure. They are quick learners and team players. These are leaders with discipline, training and a passion for service. There is a seriousness and sense of purpose that the military instills which makes our workforce even stronger.  

Q: What kind of employment programs are offered to veterans?

A: Walmart understands every veteran is not looking for a retail career, but every veteran deserves a landing spot when they come home — a job where they can generate income while determining what comes next.

Over the next five years, more than 1 million members of our military are projected to transition to civilian life. Through the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, launched on Memorial Day 2013, Walmart has pledged that no veteran will have to fight for a job when he or she separates from service. The program offers veterans who have separated from active duty within the last 12 months priority access to open jobs throughout the United States.

Walmart’s Military Family Promise guarantees a job at a nearby store or club for all military personnel, and military spouses, employed at Walmart and Sam’s Club who move to a different part of the country because they or their spouse have been transferred by the U.S. military.

Q: How many veterans does Walmart hire annually?

b: Since launching Walmart’s Welcome Home Commitment on Memorial Day 2013, Walmart has hired more than 67,000 veterans, and thousands have been promoted to roles of greater responsibility since joining our team. In the first five years of the commitment, we anticipate hiring more than 100,000 veterans into Walmart’s workforce. 

In Hawaii, as of November, 136 veterans have joined the Walmart workforce since Memorial Day 2013.

Q: How can veterans hone their skills while looking for a job?

A: Walmart has a helpful, free online resource for veterans preparing to transition to the workforce. It can be found at walmartcareerswithamission.com. The site includes tips and links to various resources for military members and their family that can assist with transitions as early as 18 months prior to separation from military service.

“Akamai Money” seeks out local experts to answer questions about business in Hawaii. If you have an issue you would like us to tackle, please email it to business@staradvertiser.com and put “Akamai Money” in the subject line.