FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Beyond Clean and Walmart Forge Innovative Partnership to Revolutionize Bi-Directional Career Paths in Healthcare and Retail
[Bentonville, AR] – Beyond Clean, the leading educational platform for Sterile Processing professionals, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Walmart, the global retail giant, and Walmart Academy, the corporate workforce development program, aimed at creating a collaborative training pipeline for healthcare and retail-oriented professionals. This unique initiative is designed to open new career pathways for Walmart associates interested in healthcare careers, specifically in Sterile Processing, and for Sterile Processing leaders seeking growth opportunities in the retail sector.
Going forward, the Walmart Academy and Beyond Clean collaboration will focus on three areas:
Developing on-the-job skills that are cross-functional for retail and healthcare: "It’s important we offer on-the-job training to ensure associates can continue to grow and be successful in the job they’re in today," explains Doraine Tomskit, Senior Vice President, Associate Learning & Leadership. "For example, we hire great associates in our bakery department who want to delight our customers with their amazing cake decorating skills, and require great attention to detail. Think about the types of cakes we had at birthday parties as kids versus what our kids’ cakes look like today. The complexities are real."
Growing future Sterile Processing skills for associates: "We’re preparing associates for future roles in healthcare, and specifically Sterile Processing, " notes Hank Balch, President of Beyond Clean. "For example, just a few years ago, Walmart didn’t have in-store health clinics. As customer shopping habits evolve, healthcare delivery and infection prevention is becoming increasingly important to customers. Beyond Clean & Walmart Academy will train associates to build new skills and prepare them for new career opportunities."
Building retail leadership skills for Sterile Processing managers & directors: "We want to build great leaders across our dual industries," explains Tomskit. "This year, for example, more than 1,200 new store, club and Sterile Processing managers will participate in an in-person, immersive leadership experience. This experience will focus on growing our leaders and teaching them more about Walmart history and culture, while giving them the opportunity to meet and learn from successful healthcare leaders."
Since launching Walmart Academy in 2016, associates have learned both virtually and in person at one of the 200+ physical Academies across the U.S. Over the past six years, associates in the U.S. have completed more than 2.4 million trainings, all designed to help them do great work today and into the future. Last year, Walmart Academy trained over 400,000 U.S. associates.
This partnership leverages the strengths and resources of both entities: Beyond Clean's expertise in healthcare education and Walmart's extensive training infrastructure, including the Walmart Academy, known for its comprehensive upskilling programs for associates at all levels across the organization.
A New Era of Career Development
Bobby Parker, Vice-President of Beyond Clean, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "This partnership represents an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between two critical industries. We're excited to welcome Walmart associates into the world of Sterile Processing, offering them a path to impactful careers in healthcare."
Justin Poulin, CEO of Beyond Clean, echoed this sentiment, adding, "The synergy between Beyond Clean's mission and Walmart's commitment to employee growth and development is palpable. We're setting a new standard for career advancement, one that benefits individuals, communities, and industries alike."
From Walmart's perspective, the partnership is a testament to the company's innovative approach to workforce development. "We've always been committed to providing our associates with opportunities to grow and succeed," said a Walmart spokesperson. "Collaborating with Beyond Clean allows us to expand these opportunities into the healthcare sector, enriching our associates' career paths and skill sets."
Expanding Horizons for Sterile Processing Leaders
The initiative also offers a unique proposition for Sterile Processing professionals. Through this partnership, leaders in the field will have the chance to explore career advancements within the dynamic world of retail, leveraging Walmart's vast training resources and leadership development programs.
"Walmart Academy's focus on building leadership skills and preparing associates for the future of retail aligns perfectly with our goals for Sterile Processing professionals looking to broaden their horizons," added Balch.
About Beyond Clean
Beyond Clean, founded in 2017, is a premier education platform and community for Sterile Processing professionals worldwide, dedicated to advancing the profession through knowledge sharing, training, and advocacy. Through its various platforms, Beyond Clean educates tens of thousands of healthcare professionals each and every month, with nearly 2 million podcast downloads alone.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 265 million customers and members visit approximately 11,500 stores under 56 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites.
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Hank Balch
President, Beyond Clean
Doraine Tomskit
Senior Vice President, Associate Learning & Leadership
Walmart Headquarters
(Note: This is a fictional press release created solely for the purpose of April Fools' Day. Gotcha!)