Walmart is betting that, for Gen Z, the road to a six-figure salary may run through its stores—not a college campus. The massive retailer is building paid, debt-free pathways that train frontline associates and place them in higher-paid jobs as truck drivers, skilled technicians, and licensed opticians. The program also addresses a labor shortage in those fields, by matching the training directly to positions it needs to fill. The flagship Associate to Driver program, launched in 2022, pays eligible associates while they earn a commercial driver’s license and transition into the retailer’s fleet. More than 1,000 employees have moved into driving roles through the program, where first-year drivers can make up to $115,000 annually and more experienced drivers can earn up to $135,000, according to the company.