Posted on 09/11/2020 10:16:07 AM PDT by Theo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2020
Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer launches new, first in nation Futures for Frontliners program to offer essential, frontline workers a tuition-free path to community college
Education, labor, business, and workforce leaders join to urge Michigan’s 625,000 COVID-19 essential workers to apply now for tuition-free college
LANSING – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, along with leaders in education, business, labor and workforce development, today launched the nation’s first program offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders between April – June 2020.
Futures for Frontliners, inspired by the GI Bill which provided college degree to those serving their country in WWII, offers Michigan adults without college degrees or high school diplomas who provided essential services during the pandemic a tuition-free pathway to gaining the skills needed to obtain high-demand, high-wage careers. The funding is not only available to those in the medical field, but also essential workers in manufacturing, nursing homes, grocery stores, sanitation, delivery, retail and more.
“This initiative is Michigan’s way of expressing gratitude to essential workers for protecting public health and keeping our state running,” Whitmer said. “Whether it was stocking shelves, delivering supplies, picking up trash, manufacturing PPE or providing medical care, you were there for us. Now this is your chance to pursue the degree or training you’ve been dreaming about to help you and your own family succeed.”
To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
Frontline workers are encouraged to visit www.michigan.gov/Frontliners to explore career opportunities, a list of local community colleges and get started on their application – even if they don’t already have a high school diploma.
The program is a $24M investment funded by Governor’s Education Emergency Relief (GEER) Fund – part of the CARES Act, and supports the state’s Sixty by 30 goal announced at the Governor’s first state of the state address to increase the number of working-age Michiganders completing an a industry certificate, college degree or apprenticeship. A more educated workforce is essential to help businesses grow, make Michigan a more competitive state to attract jobs of the future and help families navigate a changing economy and increase income.
“The vast majority of good paying jobs continue to require at least some education beyond high school,” said Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio. “Futures for Frontliners gives those who helped save lives and kept our communities operating during the height of COVID an opportunity to increase their skills and income and helps us close the state’s skills gap. For Michigan’s economy to recover and grow, its critical we continue to provide expanded opportunities to all.”
Advocates for additional career training say Futures for Frontliners also helps them off-set training costs and provide another avenue for retention and long-term career growth.
“Michigan manufacturers have been on the front lines in defense against the COVID-19 threat, creating essential products necessary for daily life; from food and pharmaceuticals, to transportation and even toilet paper,” said John Walsh, President and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. “The Futures for Frontliners program will recognize these truly-deserving heroes, investing in their personal future as well as the economic future of our state.”
“As an employer of nearly 20,000 frontline associates here in Michigan and beyond, we are proud and thankful for each of our employees who stepped up to feed our customers and our communities during the pandemic,” Rachel Hurst Corporate Affairs Manager for the Kroger Co. of Michigan said. “We’re excited for them to have this hard-earned opportunity to continue their education with support from the Futures for Frontliners program which pairs well with our Feed Your Future program.”
"With short staffing a challenge for our workers across many medical professions, this program helps create a pipeline of talent for our growing healthcare workforce," said Andrea Acevedo, President of SEIU Healthcare. Michigan Whether you are a hospital or nursing home worker, you can take advantage of this opportunity in nearly every workplace. I’m so excited for our union workers who now have the opportunity to add new skills that will help them advance in their careers."
“Henry Ford College, and I personally, are proud to support the Futures for Frontliners program, and to partner with the State of Michigan and other public and private partners to help frontline workers create a better future,” said Russ Kavalhuna, Henry Ford College President. “We believe this program represents a unique, first-of-its-kind opportunity for people who have earned a College education. They put themselves at risk to serve Michigan residents during a pandemic. We will put their futures at the forefront now.”
Several other business organizations, corporations, unions and legislators have volunteered to serve as Frontliners Champions with a commitment to inform their frontline workers, members and constituents about this tuition-free college opportunity.
Futures for Frontliners Champions
Business Groups:
Corporations:
Unions (affiliated with AFL-CIO):
Unions:
Legislators
For the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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"The program is a $24M investment funded by Governor’s Education Emergency Relief (GEER) Fund ..."
Yup, that should about cover the costs.
All federal money.
“The program is a $24M investment funded by Governor’s Education Emergency Relief (GEER) Fund – part of the CARES Act...”
Somehow by “frontline workers” I don’t think she means cops and firefighters. Another giveaway to the community organizer crowd methinks.
24,000,000 / 625,000 = $38.40.
Doesn’t even cover the cost of a single textbook.
So, if you were a part time stock clerk you can now
go to college for free?
These libs sure like to spend other peoples money.
No, more like grocery baggers and burger flippers, who moonlight at ANTIFA peaceful protesters.
I’m a ditchdigger and fit 3 of the “essential “ categories
Agriculture
Public works
Flood control
MI taxpayers, get ready for higher taxes.
That’s what it sounds like.
Typical Democrat...buying votes. Boss Tweed would be so proud of her.
True rhetoric....Freedom is not free...
They scored some old classic comics and will be using reprints as textbooks for the week long course concentrating of social awareness, proper privilege, language pronouns, yielding to people of color, and how to overthrow hated governments etc.
At the course end, recruiters from various agitation groups will be standing by with employment offers, salaries, benefits
Doesn’t even cover the cost of a single textbook.
Saw that myself.
The math, like LIBERAL logic, doesn't make sense.
Obviously doesn’t cover STEM courses, probably indoctrination only.
So where are these workers going to work? She has wrecked the MI economy to the tune of a half a million jobs. Where are these future front-liners working?
They were all too busy reading “Playtex, Heavy Duty”.
Abusers do this. Beat people then come with flowers the next day.
So the people who had employment, weren’t subject to direct loss due to government orders, THOSE people get extra benefit.
Meanwhile, the people forced to stay home get bupkiss on top of bupkiss.
It’s not the ‘Governor’s’ Fund; it is the People’s Fund.
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