Michigan unveils Going Pro campaign to boost number of skilled trades workers

For years, Michigan has worked to boost the number of skilled trades workers and it remains one of the top issues facing businesses in the state.

On Monday, a new campaign called "Going Pro" was unveiled with the intent of starting a cultural shift in how students and their parents evaluate their futures.

For 2 1/2 years Jessica Porath pursued a nursing degree at Eastern Michigan University and now she's at Wayne County Community College's anesthesia technology program.

It's a one-of-its-kind  program in Michigan. Porath said she's already hired in her field and is working at a hospital while she's finishing her program.

Aaron Hensley's path was even more unusual. He landed a good-paying job with a paint supply company out of high school but after nine years he realized he didn't want that job for the rest of his life. Now Hensley is on the road to being surgical technician and is loving what he's learning.

Only 45 percent of Michigan adults have a degree or certificate beyond high school. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she wants to raise that rate to 60 percent by the year 2030.

Learn more about the Going Pro campaign here.


About the Authors:

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.