Now Hiring: Walmart Targets Teen Workers With Expanded College Benefits Program

Walmart (WMT) is tapping into the teen market to attract the attention of high school students to fill open job positions at its stores. The retailer has added more benefits to its Live Better U program, that is designed to create a “bridge” between education and the workforce.

The Live Better U program, which was first introduced a year ago, targets teens, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates only 26 percent of will have a job by 2024. The program was created to help offset the costs of college with jobs through Walmart that also offer an array of educational benefits that workers can cash in on.

“Walmart values learning in all forms, and we are committed to creating a workforce of lifelong learners and instilling in them excitement for retail and a passion for serving customers,” Greg Foran, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. said in a statement.

“Access to higher education is one way to grow your career. So, in addition to providing people with an entry to the workforce and access to our on-the-job training I’m proud Walmart also offers our associates programs like Live Better U to help them achieve their educational goals,” he added.

Through the Live Better U program, students will be afforded flexible work scheduling options that are the same for up to 13 weeks. Free ACT and SAT preparation is provided through Walmart as well as up to seven hours of free college credit through its College Start program.

Students can also earn a debt-free college degree through Live Better U after completing high school in technology, business, or supply chain management focuses at six nonprofit universities, Walmart said. The program is offered at $1 a day and is available at Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue University Global, Wilmington University, University of Florida, Brandman University, and Bellevue University.

The company also offers Live Better U Scholar Awards, which is a graduation bonus program that pays back the worker’s $1 a day contribution for up to 5,000 employees a year valued at $1,500 each. High school completion courses are also available for workers and eligible family members as well as foreign language learning and more.

Walmart also said it plans to add even more degree and certificate programs in other fields that are related to its business and demanded in the U.S. workforce. More than 7,500 employees have taken part in one of the educational programs offered by Walmart.

Shares of Walmart stock were up 1.43 percent as of 3:32 p.m. ET on Monday.