Michigan House Passes Bill to Give Academic Credits for Skilled Trade Work
In a move aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled-trade workers and providing alternative career pathways for students, the Michigan House recently passed a bill that would grant academic credits to high school seniors working in manufacturing, construction, or other fields offering job training.
The bill introduced by Representative Jason Woolford (R-Howell) requires school districts to acknowledge the work of students who dedicate at least 30 hours per week to such trades. The specific number of credits to be awarded would be left to the discretion of individual school districts.
Woolford emphasized the importance of filling the growing demand for skilled workers, stating, “We don’t have people to fulfill the trades. If we don’t have people to do these jobs, we won’t have jobs. We won’t have people because they’ll move to a different state.”
Another proponent of the bill, Representative Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Township), highlighted the opportunity it presents for students who may not be inclined towards pursuing a traditional four-year college degree. He mentioned that the bill could help dispel the notion that a baccalaureate degree is the only path to achieving the American dream.
Addressing concerns about the workload on students balancing work and academics, Woolford noted historical examples of individuals managing multiple responsibilities, saying, “You have to remember when people were in school many years ago they worked on the farm, they worked full time, and yet they figured out a way to … invent the automobile and pipelines and railroads and all of those things.”
The bill passed in the House with bipartisan support, with only two Democrats voting in favor. It is now set to be deliberated in the Democratic-controlled Senate to potentially become law.
