# TGR Foundation Scales Career-Connected Learning With Measurable Impact

By Michael B. Horn · Published 2025-04-16 · Updated 2026-06-08 · Education Technology on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/tgr-foundation-scales-career-connected-learning-with-measurable-impact
Creator hub: The Future of Education with Michael Horn

> A nonprofit demonstrates how embedding real-world career experiences into K-12 curricula produces measurable gains in student engagement and workforce readiness

## Key points

- TGR Foundation's three-pillar model moves students from learning about careers to hands-on industry partnerships to real internships and pre-apprenticeships.
- The flagship Anaheim Learning Lab serves 7,000 students annually, with new labs opening in Philadelphia (2025) and Los Angeles (2026), targeting 21,000+ students.
- Both students and employers benefit: students gain confidence and skills while employers build a diverse, future-ready talent pipeline.

Block Field

As schools increasingly prioritize not just academic success but also [real-world readiness](https://marketscale.com/industries/podcast-network/disrupted/redefining-education-roi-ai-hybrid-learning/), the call for career-connected learning has never been louder. With [over 10% of future job growth projected in STEM fields](https://blog.dol.gov/2024/09/06/new-bls-employment-projections-3-charts?utm_source=chatgpt.com), education systems are reimagining how to expose students, especially from under-resourced communities, to meaningful career pathways early on.

So, how can schools and communities better prepare students not only to learn *about* work but to learn *through* and *at* work, even before they graduate?

In this episode of [*The Future of Education*](https://marketscale.com/shows/the-future-of-education-with-michael-horn/), host [Michael Horn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbhorn/) sits down with **Cyndi Court**, CEO of the **TGR Foundation**, to explore how the foundation is scaling career-connected learning labs and helping thousands of students discover their passions, build their skill sets, and prepare for fulfilling futures. The conversation dives deep into TGR's unique three-pillar model, real-world learning partnerships, and the evolving landscape of youth opportunity in America.

Key takeaways from the episode…

- **The Three Pillars of Career-Connected Learning:** TGR's model introduces students to careers (learning *about* work), guides them through hands-on problem-solving with industry partners (learning *through* work), and supports them in real internships and pre-apprenticeships (learning *at* work).
- **Impact on Employers and Students Alike:** While students gain exposure and confidence, employers benefit from building a future-ready, diverse talent pipeline equipped with durable skills.
- **Expansion and Scale:** With its flagship Learning Lab in Anaheim already serving 7,000 students annually, TGR is expanding into Philadelphia (2025) and Los Angeles (2026), with a vision to serve over 21,000 students and counting.

### About the Guest

**Cyndi Court** is a seasoned nonprofit and education leader with over three decades of experience in youth development, advancement, and strategic partnerships. She currently serves as CEO of the **TGR Foundation**, following senior leadership roles at **Berry College**, **Special Olympics International**, and **Boys & Girls Clubs of America**, where she led large-scale development and marketing initiatives. With a strong background in fundraising, executive search, and program expansion, Court has consistently driven mission-aligned growth across education, philanthropy, and community impact sectors.

Tags: career learning, Cyndi Court, Michael Horn, TGR Foundation, The Future of Education

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