Recognizing the value of their workforce, Walmart and McDonald’s are teaming up with colleges to award college credit for skills employees gain on the job.
Workers at McDonald’s and Walmart can now earn college credit for their on-the-job training and work experience, according to NPR. This initiative is part of a broader trend in corporate America to attract, retain, and develop talent. Notably, Walmart aims to leverage this program to build a strong internal pipeline for promotions.
Several companies are offering innovative programs to help employees. Walmart boasts over a dozen short certificates and 25+ training courses that translate to college credit at partner universities. Their programs focus on areas like tech, leadership, and digital operations.
Meanwhile, McDonald’s is partnering with community colleges to convert employee skills in customer service and food safety into credits for degrees in hospitality, insurance, and culinary arts. Jiffy Lube offers a similar program, allowing employees to earn college credit for their on-the-job training.
“You already are doing college-level work,” says Amber Garrison Duncan of the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN). C-BEN connects schools and employers to create programs that award college credit for relevant work experience.
These programs are new, and getting colleges involved can be challenging. “It disrupts the traditional model of credit based on class time,” explains Brianne McDonough of Jobs for the Future. “Colleges need to be open to new ways of assessing skills.”
However, challenges exist. “Employers need to rigorously assess and document employee skills,” says Haley Glover of Aspen Institute’s UpSkill America. “This requires a new approach for many companies.”
