Cindy Thornthwaite and Eldon Preston of 
GST Michigan Works! Graduated from 
Career Readiness TPM Academy® to 
Improve Employer-Aligned Career Pathways

Forty-seven participants from Michigan join an elite network of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s TPM Academy graduates

Flint, Michigan – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), announced Cindy Thornthwaite, Business Services Manager at GST Michigan Works! and Eldon Preston, Business Solutions Professional for GST Michigan Works! graduated from its premier workforce development program, the Talent Pipeline Management Academy® (TPMA). The U.S. Chamber Foundation facilitates this program based on their Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) framework. 

The Career Readiness TPM Academy uses TPM’s approach to train workforce and community college leaders to partner with one another to build scalable, sustainable talent pipelines that support employer-aligned pathways for adult students of color.

“TPM is a nationally-recognized framework for building employer-led talent supply chains, of which community colleges play a critical role,” said Cheryl Oldham, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “The Career Readiness TPM Academy graduates of Michigan are dedicated to connecting people of color to improve education and employment outcomes. We look forward to supporting them as they develop effective talent pipelines aligned to industry demand.”

Thornthwaite and Preston were selected to participate in this cohort along with 46 other Michigan state and local leaders from the business community, economic development agencies, and key education partners from community colleges and community-based organizations. Individuals were selected by a panel of their peers based on their understanding of the skills gap challenges in the community they serve, a demonstrated knowledge of the TPM approach, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a track record of putting plans into action.

“The TPM Academy brought together employers and educators 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. “LEO looks forward to continuing our work with these TPM Academy graduates to strengthen Michigan’s talent pipeline and make our great state more competitive for inclusive economic growth.”

Upon completion of the training, TPM Academy graduates join the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s dedicated network of more than 550 workforce and economic development professionals from 40 U.S. states, Washington DC, and Canada to build dynamic, sustainable talent pipelines and close the skills gap for their industry.

To learn more about Talent Pipeline Management and the TPM Academy, visit the U.S. Chamber Foundation website.

Media Contact: 
Diona Pratt
810-358-1929
dpratt@gstmiworks.org

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