Partners sought for Career Readiness Talent Pipeline Management Academy

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has awarded the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) funds to host a Career Readiness Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) Academy. This academy will allow Michigan to develop talent pipelines with increased alignment between employers and education providers.

"The Talent Pipeline Management Academy is an investment in Michigan's economy, employers, and employees," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "With the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's grant, Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity can foster mutually beneficial partnerships between educational institutions and employers to fill open jobs, support small businesses, and empower Michiganders to enhance their skillsets and earn bigger paychecks."

LEO will work with community colleges, employers, workplace professionals, and chambers of commerce to develop their TPM Academy to help close the skills gap, increase opportunities for Michiganders, and support a more competitively skilled and credentialed workforce in the state.

"The Talent Pipeline Management Academy is an exciting and critical opportunity that brings employers and educators together to help more Michiganders reach their career goals and bring home bigger paychecks," said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO's Office of Employment and Training. "Additionally, these early-on partnerships between educational institutions and employers will address the critical talent needs businesses across the state are facing - ultimately making Michigan more competitive for inclusive economic growth."

The Career Readiness TPM Academy is a training developed by the U.S. Chamber Foundation that seeks to enhance partnerships between community colleges and sub-baccalaureate programs and employers to improve completion, credential attainment and employment and career advancement, particularly for people of color.

"TPM is a nationally-recognized framework that seeks to unlock employer leadership and orchestrate talent supply chains, of which community colleges play a critical role," said Cheryl Oldham, Senior Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "Michigan has been an incredible leader in the TPM network, and we are excited to be a part of this exciting development as they prioritize connecting people of color to improved education and employment outcomes."

Lumina Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all, is the funder for this work.

"The competition for talent has never been greater, and programs like the TPM Academy serve as a pipeline to not just meet the demand but to provide Michiganders with the tools to lead lives of prosperity and purpose," said Lumina Foundation President and CEO Jamie Merisotis.

Michigan's TPM Academy will kick off in March and run through July 2022, with continued support from the U.S. Chamber Foundation.

Colleges, employers, workplace professionals and chambers of commerce interested in participating should join an informational webinar on Monday, February 7 at 9 a.m. TPM Academy application information can be can be found at Michigan.gov/MICA. Applications to participate are due on Friday Michigan.gov/MICA, February 25.

Questions about the Michigan Career Readiness TPM Academy can be directed to LEO-MICA@Michigan.gov.