Futures for Frontliners Offers Upskilling Opportunity to Essential Workers
October 2020 MiMfg Magazine 23
MMA President & CEO John J . Walsh joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer in September to launch the Futures for Frontliners program , a scholarship program for essential workers to attend community college tuition-free .
Within the first three weeks of the program ’ s launch , more than 60,000 Michiganders submitted applications for the scholarship program .
All Michigan essential workers — including manufacturing workers — who have not previously earned an associate or bachelor ’ s degree and have worked at least part-time for 11 of 13 weeks from 4 / 1 / 20 through 6 / 30 / 20 are eligible .
The Futures for Frontliners program addresses two critical needs . First , the need to recognize and reward the workers who have been working on the front lines despite the COVID-19 threat . Second , it will help to upskill workers to meet the demands of the 21st century global manufacturing industry .
“ 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 Walsh . “ 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 .”
Skilled Talent and a robust workforce are essential to the continued strength of Michigan ’ s manufacturing industry . Leading into the pandemic , the # 1 challenge for Michigan manufacturers was the challenge of locating , training and retaining the skilled trades talent necessary to remain competitive with other states and around the world . While the workplace looks very different today , the challenge remains the same .
Futures for Frontliners will help essential workers advance in their careers and train up in their current company so that they ’ ll be eligible for promotions and greater pay . The program is flexible so that an essential worker can pursue a college degree or certificate or attain their high school diploma part-time while they work .
Michigan manufacturers have been on the frontlines in defense against the COVID-19 threat and their productivity will lead the way out of the crisis . MMA is proud to be a Futures for Frontliners Champion .
Applications and resources to promote this opportunity to your workforce are available at michigan . gov / frontliners through 12 / 31 / 20 . 6
MMA President & CEO John J . Walsh joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer to launch the Futures for Frontliners program in September .
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Futures for Frontliners scholarship program , applicants must :
• Be a Michigan resident
• Have worked in an essential industry at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between 4 / 1 / 20 and 6 / 30 / 20
• Have been required by their job to work outside the home at least some of the time between 4 / 1 / 20 and 6 / 30 / 20
• Not have previously earned an associate or bachelor ’ s degree
• Not be in default on a federal student loan
• Complete a Futures for Frontliners scholarship application by 11:59 p . m . on 12 / 31 / 20
Get more , including resources to share with employees , at michigan . gov /
frontliners .
If you ’ ve been thinking about going to college , now is the right time !
Futures for Frontliners is giving back to Michigan ’ s essential workers with tuition-free community college to anyone without a degree .
Discover how you can pursue your career and personal dreams with tuition-free college at Michigan . gov / Frontliners .
Application deadline is Dec . 31 !
To be eligible , you must :
Be a Michigan resident
Have worked in an essential industry at least part-time for 11 of the 13 weeks between April 1 – June 30 , 2020
Have been required by their job to work outside the home at least some of the time between April 1 – June 30 , 2020
Not have previously earned an associate or bachelor ’ s degree
Not be in default on a Federal student loan
Complete a Futures for Frontliners scholarship application by 11:59 p . m ., Dec . 31 , 2020