Downriver Today

Over 100,000 residents are in line to receive a skills certificate or a tuition-free degree courtesy of the Michigan Reconnect program.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made the statement this week concerning data provided by the program as of last month, a recent press release from the governor’s office said.

“This has been a life changer,” Shelby Essenmacher, a 31-year-old student pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree at Wayne County Community College District, said in the release. “I can now go after my dream of becoming a nurse without worrying about the cost of tuition, which has always been a major barrier preventing me from going back to school. Reconnect has cleared a pathway for me to achieve my education and career goals.”

Whitmer said the program is a pathway for residents to secure a brighter future without mounding student debt.  

“This bipartisan program is a game-changer not only for the people enrolled in the program, but also for their families, small businesses, and the state of Michigan,” Whitmer said in the release. “I am so proud of all 100,000 and counting Reconnect applicants. They have taken an important step to chase their dreams, learn new skills, and land a good-paying job to support themselves and their families. Because of their grit and determination, we can keep growing Michigan’s economy, supporting and attracting hardworking people and powering small businesses in every region of our great state.”

Whitmer stated that a bipartisan $6 million investment would help students with childcare, books costs, food and other endeavors.

“More Michiganders are within reach of a college degree or skills certificate thanks to efforts like Michigan Reconnect,” Susan Corbin, director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, said in the release. “We are creating new opportunities for our workers to land high-paying jobs in fulfilling careers and for our Michigan businesses to fill critical talent needs so they can continue to compete, grow and innovate.”