When Governor Gretchen Whitmer launched Michigan’s workforce plan in 2024, the goal was clear: help more Michiganders earn credentials, secure good jobs, and meet employers’ talent needs. Central to that effort is TPM®— a proven, employer-led framework for aligning education and training with real workforce demand.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has made employer leadership a cornerstone of the state’s workforce strategy. That commitment has produced tangible results: more than 60 employer-led collaboratives representing more than 1,500 employers, 5,100 training participants, approximately 3,100 credentials earned, and more than 1,800 people placed in jobs.
Across industries—from energy to healthcare to childcare—Michigan is demonstrating the power of employer-driven solutions. Here we offer insights into their meaningful work and how it is positively impacting individuals and communities.
Leading the Way: Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium
Established in 2008, the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC) is the state’s longest-running employer-led collaborative. Formed by major utilities, labor unions, educators, and workforce partners, MEWDC addressed an urgent challenge: an aging energy workforce and looming retirements.
When the consortium adopted TPM in 2015, outcomes accelerated. “Adopting TPM was a gamechanger,” says Marcia Black-Watson, Director of MEWDC. Employers began clearly defining competency needs, shaping training programs, and removing barriers to entry.
The results were transformative. MEWDC helped create Michigan’s Energy Career Cluster, establishing clear pathways from high school to employment. Employers shortened training timelines, expanded community outreach, and introduced targeted readiness workshops—dramatically improving assessment pass rates and increasing participation from underrepresented communities.
Impact
MEWDC’s success helped spark statewide adoption of TPM, with more than 300 professionals trained and mentoring new collaboratives across Michigan and beyond.
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50+
organizations collaborating statewide
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3
regional employer-led energy collaboratives
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1,450
Energy Industry Fundamentals certificates earned
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1,150+
hires into energy sector roles
Regional Success Stories Across Michigan
From Detroit to Kalamazoo to the Thumb region, TPM is helping communities solve urgent workforce challenges.
- Water Treatment (Detroit) Facing labor shortages threatening essential services, employers launched pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships—strengthening infrastructure pipelines and contributing to Michigan’s national leadership in apprenticeship participation.
- Early Childhood Education (Kalamazoo) The Edison ECE Career Pathway filled 31 vacancies and achieved an 80% retention rate by supporting workers in earning credentials while employed—stabilizing childcare services for families.
- Healthcare (Thumb Region) A coordinated employer-led effort enrolled 316 participants in training, with 59% earning credentials and 61% of graduates securing healthcare jobs.
- Automotive (Lenawee County) Targeted certification test-prep classes helped 31 workers earn 60 certifications, removing a critical bottleneck to career advancement.
- Construction (Tri-County Region) Employers aligned around shared foundational skills, launching National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)-accredited programs in plumbing and HVACR and engaging middle school students through hands-on trades camps.
- Public Safety (West Michigan) Employers revitalized EMT and law enforcement training programs, enabling most partners to fill long-standing vacancies.
The TPM Difference
TPM applies supply chain principles to workforce development, enabling employers to:
- Plan for labor demand
- Define competency and credential needs
- Align education and training programs
- Build and continuously improve talent pipelines
Looking Ahead
Together, these initiatives represent hundreds of employers and partners working toward a more inclusive, demand-driven workforce system. With thousands of credentials earned and expanded access to quality careers, Michigan is proving that when employers lead, workers, businesses, and communities all benefit.
Keep it going, Michigan—we’re excited to see what comes next!
About the author
Jaimie Francis
Jaimie is vice president of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
