Synchrony Adds Free Trade Degree Path for Employees

Construction openings frame workforce push

panel discussion — Synchrony

Panelists discuss workforce development and career pathways for women in the skilled trades during Synchrony’s Women in the Trades forum in West Chester, Ohio. *From left:* Synchrony leaders Theresa Kraus (moderator; SVP, Client Development and Sales Governance), Kelli Nesseth (SVP and GM), Marisa Diiorio (SVP, HR—Technology & Operations) and Fanaye Taye (SVP, HR) joined Kristin Gallup, 2025 President of Women in HVACR.

Synchrony announced a new program allowing eligible U.S. employees to earn associate degrees in skilled trades, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and welding, with tuition covered by the company.

Synchrony is a consumer financing company that provides credit and banking products, including financing programs used by home improvement and construction-related businesses.

The program, unveiled July 8 during Synchrony’s Women in the Trades forum in West Chester, Ohio, is open to U.S. employees after three months of service. It is offered through a partnership with Bright Horizons EdAssist and includes access to more than 20 technical colleges, community colleges and trade school programs.

The announcement comes as construction employers continue to compete for skilled workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed construction job openings rose to 298,000 in May, up from 266,000 in April. The industry’s job openings rate increased to 3.5% from 3.1% during the same period.

Synchrony said the program is intended to help employees build skills for high-demand roles, including data center operations and advanced mechanics. The company said tuition coverage is available for up to $24,000 per year for degrees in high-demand fields, including education, health care and skilled trades.

“Skilled trades power our homes, businesses and local economies and provide an essential service to people and families, yet the talent gap is growing,” said Kelli Nesseth, senior vice president and general manager at Synchrony. “This program gives our people a debt-free associate degree pathway, building in-demand skills for the future across the industries we serve and opening doors, even to business ownership.”

Synchrony’s Women in the Trades forum brought together leaders from HVAC, home improvement and home services organizations to discuss workforce development, leadership and training. Attendees included representatives from Women in HVACR, Women in the Flooring Industry and National Women in Roofing, along with companies such as Bosch Home Comfort Group, Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Air Conditioning, Rheem, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup and ServiceTitan.

The event’s focus on skilled trades and construction-related workforce development comes as contractors across multiple trades face continued hiring challenges.

“Synchrony’s new tuition program and scholarship support are the investments we need to help more people, including women, enter high-demand trade careers,” said Jane Sidebottom, president of Women in HVACR. “As the skills gap widens, building a job-ready pipeline is essential for the next generation of leaders and the customers and communities they’ll serve.”

The Synchrony Foundation has donated $150,000 to Women in HVACR for scholarships and nearly $1 million to skilled trade programs nationwide since 2021, according to the company.