As the supply of skilled tradespeople continues to shrink across the United States, Walmart and other major employers are taking matters into their own hands to ensure critical operations remain functional — from conveyor belts in distribution centers to refrigeration systems in grocery stores.
.jpg)
The nation’s largest retailer has revamped its maintenance technician training program, strengthening a pipeline of workers responsible for repairs, electrical work, HVAC systems and general facility maintenance at stores and distribution centers nationwide. These roles have become increasingly difficult to fill as retirements accelerate and fewer workers enter trade careers.
The shortage has created new career opportunities for employees like Liz Cardenas, 24, who began working at a Walmart distribution center in Lancaster, Texas, in 2023. After joining as an automation equipment operator, she now repairs conveyor belts and other machinery.
“I was able to move out of my parents’ house,” she said. “I have my own apartment. I was able to get a car, and and I’m able to give more to my 401(k).”
Cardenas’ hourly wage has nearly doubled to $43.50, and she plans to pursue additional training that could lead to even higher pay and responsibility.
Analysts point to several factors behind the growing labor gap, including a wave of retirements and reduced immigration during and after the pandemic. The problem is especially acute in skilled trades. Consulting firm McKinsey estimates that from 2022 to 2032, there will be roughly 20 job openings for every one net new worker across 12 trade categories, including welders, carpenters and maintenance technicians.
McKinsey also cited “the extraordinary rate of churn,” warning that companies could collectively spend more than $5.3 billion annually on recruiting and training costs alone.
The shortages are emerging even as some companies reduce headcounts due to higher operating costs, tariff pressures, shifting consumer behavior and increased investment in artificial intelligence.
To confront the issue, Business Roundtable — a lobbying group representing CEOs from about 150 major U.S. companies — launched a new initiative this summer aimed at boosting awareness of skilled trades careers. The effort is co-led by Lowe’s and focuses on outreach to elementary, middle and high school students.
“While technology continues to evolve, it cannot replace plumbers, electricians, construction workers, maintenance and repair pros, or other tradespeople,” said Marvin Ellison, chairman and CEO of Lowe’s.
Lowe’s has also invested heavily in training. In 2022, the retailer launched a 90-day online program for employees pursuing trade careers, and its charitable arm has committed $43 million since 2023 to technical colleges and nonprofit training organizations.
.jpg)
Still, economists say these efforts can only partially address the shortage. Mervin Jebaraj of the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business noted that immigration policy remains a major constraint.
“For as long as somebody physically needs to fix this, the shortage will persist, even though on the margins it’ll mitigate some of the shortage,” he said. “We don’t have enough people.”
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon believes lack of awareness is a major barrier.
“I think most Americans probably don’t know what a tech makes that helps take care of our stores and clubs and that we can help them learn how to be a tech,” he said. “So we have a need to get the word out so that people know there are some great jobs.”
Walmart’s updated training initiative, launched in spring 2024, is tuition-free and blends classroom learning with hands-on instruction in HVAC, electrical work and general maintenance. Initially piloted in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, the program expanded this year to Vincennes, Indiana, and Jacksonville, Florida.
As of mid-November, nearly 400 employees had graduated, with every participant in the first pilot class securing a technician role. Walmart aims to train 4,000 workers by 2030, putting graduates on a path to earn an average of $32 per hour.
R.J. Zanes, vice president of facility services for Walmart and Sam’s Club, said technicians are especially vital during peak shopping seasons. A refrigeration failure alone can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost inventory.
"We’ve got to stay out in front of that," he said. “We have to ensure that we’ve got the right skills there to do preventative maintenance, and when we do have a breakdown, to make sure that we get it back up as fast as possible to minimize that cost of downtime."
Originally reported by ANNE D'INNOCENZIO AP retail writer in ABC News.
