Gov. Rick Snyder visited MCC’s Sturrus Technology Center in downtown Muskegon on June 26, when he signed into law the Marshal Plan for Talent.
The initiative is designed to connect employers with educators, to pair students with in-demand careers, and to encourage apprenticeships and mentorships with an educational focus on certifications and occupational licensing.
During his visit, Snyder also toured the Lakeshore Fab Lab, located in MCC’s Rooks|Sarnicola Entrepreneur Institute, as well as two of the college’s applied technology programs – automation and welding – inside MCC’s Sturrus Technology Center.
The Marshall Plan for Talent will:
- Set aside $100 million to prepare students for the 21st century economy, including $10.5 million for career navigators, who are dedicated to help guide students toward their career and associated academic goals. These navigators will be supported by additional tools such as a web-based career exploration platform that connects students to internships, job shadowing opportunities, and other such options in their local area.
- Let schools change the way they educate students, using a competency-based approach that results in high-demand skills and credentials.
- Allow funding to be used for equipment, additional staff, new curriculum, professional development, industry mentors, testing fees, and other tools schools need to deliver these experiences to students.
- Create Marshall Plan Talent Consortiums – groups of educators and employers that
partner to change the way students are prepared for careers. This will truly connect educators and employers to ensure that students experience a seamless transition from school to employment to lifelong learning. - Fund $20 million in scholarships and stipends for high school students and low-income residents to get high-demand credentials.
- Establish the Innovative Educator Corps, a group of highly-skilled, proven, innovative educators that are nominated by their local schools to be honored for their excellence. These educators will receive stipends from the state and travel around Michigan to share their innovations with others.
- Creates an awareness campaign for attracting businesses and talent to Michigan.