Walmart announced it has hired more than 42,000 veterans during the first year of Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, launched last Memorial Day. Walmart projects it will hire more than 100,000 veterans in five years.
The Walmart Foundation also announced it an additional $20 million pledge through 2019 to support veteran employment and transition programs. In 2011, the Walmart Foundation pledged $20 million through 2015 to help veterans and their families get through those challenges with assistance from programs that provide job training, transition support and education. It met that goal one year early.
“We have a generation of veterans who have built a legacy of incredible service and sacrifice to our nation,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO and U.S. Navy veteran. “We have hired veterans at every career stage and in every part of our company, from stores and distribution centers to the home office and Walmart.com. Veterans bring invaluable skills including leadership, commitment and hard work, which make our workforce even stronger.”
More than one million service members are due to exit the military in the next five years, and many of them will face significant challenges with unemployment and transition back to civilian life. To help address those challenges, the Walmart Foundation is increasing its support for veterans and military families.
Organizations that will benefit from the Foundation include, Swords to Plowshares, National Veterans Outreach Program and Institute for Veterans and Military Families.
