Lt. Governor Gilchrist said that Michigan Reconnect has helped thousands of Michiganders go back to school and receive skilled training. | Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist/Facebook
Lt. Governor Gilchrist said that Michigan Reconnect has helped thousands of Michiganders go back to school and receive skilled training. | Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist/Facebook
The state has launched a $6 million bipartisan investment to help working-age adults who returned to school or enrolled in a program like Futures for Frontliners for the first time.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II visited Washtenaw Community College (WCC) on Thursday, July 14 to highlight the investment in programs known as Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners.
“We admire all those Michiganders who have used Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners to take the first step to achieve their educational dreams. We know it’s not an easy path, and we want to keep providing the support they need. This is a critical investment to help more people successfully complete a certificate or degree program,” Sarah Szurpicki, director of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Sixty by 30, said in the release. “By removing barriers to education, we can help more hardworking Michiganders stay on the path to bigger paychecks and a successful future.”
Lt. Gov. Gilchrist said they hope every resident in the state would learn about the program and that they were going to keep working on grants to help everyone prosper.
“Michigan Reconnect is helping tens of thousands of hardworking people take the first step toward a brighter future, and it is providing employers with the highly skilled workers they need to keep and grow their businesses throughout the state of Michigan,” he said.
WCC President Dr. Rose Bellanca said the initiative will help students overcome obstacles. According to the release, 2,038 Reconnectors and 2,287 Futures for Frontliners students attend WCC.
“Michigan Reconnect is an important key to helping community colleges like WCC attract, train and graduate students for the high-paying and high-demand jobs that will drive Michigan’s future,” Dr. Bellanca said in the release. “We are a proud partner in that effort.”
The $6 million investment will help community and tribal colleges provide free childcare, books, transportation and internet access for students to pursue their education. According to the release, WCC and other institutions can provide $550 directly to students each academic year.
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