Walmart and other US companies want to build a pipeline of skilled tradespeople

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 5:10 AM EST, December 20, 2025


BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — As the number of skilled tradespeople dwindles in the United States, Walmart is trying to build up its own workforce to keep conveyor belts moving, refrigerated grocery cases cold, and drains and parking lots flowing.

The nation’s largest retailer and private employer revamped its training program last year to increase the pipeline of maintenance technicians who do everything from repair equipment to electrical work at Walmart’s distribution centers and stores — jobs that have become increasingly difficult to fill because of a shrinking labor pool.

The shortage has opened opportunities for people like Liz Cardenas, 24, who started at Walmart in May 2023 as an automation equipment operator at a distribution center in Lancaster, Texas, making sure boxes were securely taped and went through a conveyer belt upright. Today, she is responsible for fixing conveyor belts and other equipment when they break at distribution centers.

Cardenas, who nearly doubled her hourly pay to $43.50 per hour, said she plans to pursue more training, which will mean an even higher salary and more responsibility. It also means financial freedom.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/skilled-trades-labor-shortage-walmart-maintenance-5ab4bf643840a6a49660aa96bf32223b

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Funny, doesn't this remind one of Unions?

[BumRushDaShow]

2. It also reminds one of the fact

that their cheap "immigrant" labor is being systematically removed and their stuff is sitting there waiting to be moved or fixed.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. Bingo.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. It goes to show how disconnected the top tier of the leadership is

with respect to the consequences of their wishes (and assumptions that they would be "exempted" ).

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Absolutely! It would be to their benefit...

And everyone else's hopefully, if they would venture outside of their immediate sphere of influence on occasion.

[Cheezoholic]

11. As long as it doesn't lead back into "company town" style setups which I would bet is on their radar n/t

[WmChris]

8. Except

Unions mean contracts with grievance procedures and arbitration. There are contractual boundaries that both sides must respect. Not at will employees who can be let go for any reason at all up to and including no reason at all.

[Jughead]

5. Ford

Has been crying for mechanics. Let them join unions and get rid of flat rate work.

[EarthFirst]

7. Join the union!

Fuck this attempt to dilute the wage and benefits scale by training in house technicians for quarters on the dollar.

Union strong. Union Proud.

[NotHardly]

9. You mean the monopoly, union busting POS wants trained personnel?

Go ahead, tell me another joke.

[cstanleytech]

10. The pool is shrinking because the wealthy are siphoning the money out of it.

[Shipwack]

12. Wait a moment...

Cardenas, who nearly doubled her hourly pay to $43.50 per hour, said she plans to pursue more training, which will mean an even higher salary and more responsibility. It also means financial freedom.

So in order to have “financial freedom” in the US, you have to be making more than $43 an hour? I mean, good for her, but the majority of US workers have trouble breaking $25, no?

Sorry, I just remembered I have access to the world’s knowledge in my hand, so I looked it up. Overall average is $29, though for people of color it’s $23.

And still the minimum wage is stagnant.