Youth Leaders Hope To Restore Funding For Training Program

jobsformichigansgraduates
jobsformichigansgraduates

Testimony on the value of the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates program was taken this month by a Michigan Senate subcommittee. As lawmakers put together the next budget, it’s hoped that funding for Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates can be restored. Youth Solutions Director Kristin Harrington was there for the hearing last week, and told WSJM News Tamia Clay, a Benton Harbor High School senior active in FIRST Robotics, spoke about the difference Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates has made for her.

“She was recently accepted into Stanford University as well as Central Michigan University and has decided to attend Central to pursue a communications major, but will continue to look for opportunities to use her engineering skills as well,” Harrington said.

Harrington says the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates helps students develop important job skills like interviewing, listening, and working with others. Also testifying this week was a representative of DTE Energy, which has hired many JMG students. Harrington tells us the rep talked about them.

“The young people that are employed with DTE through the Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Program are far more prepared to succeed in work,” Harrington said.

Harrington says Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates shows kids who might drop out that there is hope in the workplace with a little effort. She says the lawmakers on the appropriations subcommittee were receptive to the message, and she’s hopeful the program will be funded. It did not get an allocation in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal, but that could be changed by the state Legislature.