Michigan is striving to better their state with three goals and it all starts with their Michigan Reconnect Program.

Michigan is working towards their sixty by 30 goal, entailing preparing Michiganders for bigger jobs and higher paying paychecks for adults with a post-secondary degree or credential to 60 percent by 2030. 

To do this, they have three goals:

1. Closing the skill gap that demands employees have higher education and more training than ever before. 

2. Increase access to education and skill training for better jobs and bigger paychecks. 

3. Make Michigan more competitive for inclusive economic growth. 

Studies show, according to Michigan.gov, that there's an annual average of $7,500 more for those with a two-year degree compared to people with a high school degree.

“Our goal is to build a Michigan where every Michigander is equipped with the education and skills they need to get a good-paying job and the Michigan Reconnect students at Jackson College are on their way to high-demand, high-wage careers,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

By instilling the Michigan Reconnect Program, more Michiganders have free access to a community college education, giving them opportunity to apply for higher paying jobs. 

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (LEO) has plotted data points of the number of Michigan Reconnect Applicants from March 2022 to May 2023.

To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, residents must by 25 years of age, live in Michigan for one year or more, have a high school diploma/GED and have not completed college yet. 

For more information, visit Michigan.gov.