Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a proposal on Wednesday for a program aimed at providing free college and technical certifications to frontline workers.
The “Futures for Frontliners” program, the first of its kind in the country, was inspired by the G.I. bill that was used to provide educational opportunities to soldiers returning from World War II, Whitmer’s office said. The program is available to those who have been considered essential workers during the pandemic, including staff in hospital and nursing homes, grocery store workers, those providing childcare to critical infrastructure workers and personal protection equipment manufacturers. It also includes those working to protect public safety, pick up trash or deliver supplies.
“The Futures for Frontliners program is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who have risked their lives on the front lines of this crisis,” Whitmer said in a statement. “This program will ensure tuition-free college opportunities and give these dedicated Michiganders an opportunity to earn a technical certificate, associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree.”
It is estimated that there are more than three million essential workers in Michigan, Whitmer’s office said.
Those participating in the program would help Michigan reach Whitmer’s goal of increasing the number of working-age adults with a technical certificate or college degree from 45 percent to 60 percent by 2030.
The proposal follows the Michigan Reconnect program passed last month, which allows adults over 25 without college degrees to access community college tuition-free. Whitmer also said that she is expanding Michigan’s Workshare Program, which will allow employers to reduce employee hours in order to receive unemployment benefits, as well as the $600 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) weekly benefit. The PUA is acting as supplemental pay for critical infrastructure workers.
“I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their own health during this crisis,” Whitmer said. “You’re the reason we’re going to get through this.”
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
