BRANSON, Mo. – Silver Dollar City’s parent company, Herschend Enterprises, has announced a new initiative to help its employees further their education free of tuition and debt.

The initiative, entitled “Herschend’s GROW U.,” plans to help 11,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time employees obtain a degree or complete certificate programs through Guild’s Learning Marketplace. 

Herschend will provide funding of up to $5,250 a year for 150 programs including art design, engineering, hospitality and human resources. Other high-demand degree fields such as business administration, culinary arts, technology, finance and marketing also will be covered. 

Herschend Enterprises selected Guild Education to carry out the initiative due to Guild’s strong reputation of connecting employers to valued learning providers. Eligible Herschend employees will be able to choose from 30 learning providers within Guild’s Learning Marketplace and speak with professional coaches to find a career that fits their interests.

All Herschend employees from 25 U.S. attractions will be eligible for benefits including tuition, books and compensation for other fees.

“Whether it’s to pursue a new dream or advance their career with us, we care about our employees’ personal and professional growth, because we believe that their futures should be grown with love, not loans,” said Deanna Partridge, vice president of talent development for Herschend Family Entertainment. “Our team members’ success is our success – and that’s why we’re thrilled to make this benefit available to all, regardless of their role in the company and without the burden of debt.”

Herschend’s GROW U. officially launches for employees on Feb. 24, 2022.