Walmart is opening a 600,000 square foot high-tech produce distribution center in Shafter, bringing 300 jobs to Kern County. Spokeswoman Tiffany Wilson says 100 of those positions will require STEM skills, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, especially to operate machines or do logistics

Construction starts next month on the South Driver Road facility, which will serve 200 stores in southern California and Las Vegas when it opens in 2020.

Kelli Pierce