Synchrony Skills Academy Opens In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — On Monday, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Synchrony in Stamford to unveil the Synchrony Sills Academy, which will provide underserved Connecticut communities with digital skills training and job placement support.

The 10,500 square foot, multi-million-dollar center is designed to spark discovery and innovation with a makerspace that encourages hands-on learning (3D-printing), an open space for collaboration, a gaming area as well as classrooms for interactive STEM activities like coding, robotics and virtual reality. These skills can help participants obtain roles in high-paying, fast-growing fields such as data analytics, UX design and software development.

The academy is part of the company's $50 million, five-year initiative to increase access to higher education, skills training in high-growth fields, and financial empowerment for underserved communities and its own workforce.

Gov. Ned Lamont, other elected officials, and leadership from Synchrony were on hand for the event at 777 Long Ridge Road.

"The Synchrony Skills Academy will help create new opportunities for our students, workforce and communities, while meeting the needs of employers now and in the future," Lamont said in a news release. "It's a great example of what's possible when the private and public sectors partner together to solve some of our state's biggest challenges."

The academy honors the legacy of Synchrony's former CEO Margaret Keane. Keane led the Fortune 200 company through its IPO and continued growth, and she's known for building a diverse workforce, expanding opportunity for all and advancing corporate responsibility.

Keane serves as Co-Chair of AdvanceCT, a nonprofit working to bolster Connecticut's economic competitiveness.

"Our future depends on our ability to train and upskill our workforce, staying ahead of skills that will be required by businesses," said Keane in a news release. "This includes ensuring the next generation has opportunities to learn and build the digital skills needed to succeed. The Synchrony Skills Academy is one way we can lift up and empower our community and create a more equitable future right here in Connecticut. I'm honored and humbled to be part of it."

According to the January 2020 World Economic Forum, 76 percent of global workers feel unprepared for a digital-first future. In Connecticut, nearly 40 percent of employers cited the lack of needed skills as the key challenge to finding qualified young workers.

"There is an urgent need to develop a more inclusive, skilled workforce and address economic inequities," said Brian Doubles, President and CEO of Synchrony, in a news release. "No one company or sector can do it alone. We must work together to build a better future for all that includes innovative job training solutions. We're proud to open the doors to the Synchrony Skills Academy in honor of Margaret's enduring vision and commitment to creating new pathways to opportunity, helping underserved communities gain critical skills and strengthening the local economy."

Mayor Caroline Simmons said it's imperative that the community finds ways to provide critical training to students to make sure they are prepared for careers in tech and data fields.

"The Synchrony Skills Academy will provide a unique opportunity for youth and provide them with the knowledge, skills, and training to make sure they are prepared to compete in a global and digital economy. Stamford is proud to be the home of Synchrony's headquarters and to partner with them on this mission," she said in a news release.

The academy will collaborate closely with the Connecticut Governor's Workforce Council, local schools, skills-credentialing organizations and nonprofits. The Synchrony Foundation-supported training programs include:

• An intensive 12-week bootcamp with General Assembly where individuals will gain software engineering skills and job placement support, no degree or experience required.
• An eight-month afterschool digital training program with non-profit District Arts and Education (DAE) where high school students will hone critical skills in web development, UX design and data analytics. Local youth will also receive college and career support from non-profit Future5, the University of Connecticut's Engineering Ambassadors and Synchrony.