The Michigan House Ways and Means committee has passed legislation that expands the state’s “Fostering Futures” program.
Western U.P. state representative Greg Markkanen says it will include scholarship opportunities for foster care students attending a skilled trades institution.
“House Bill 4406 will allow them to go into two-year institutions, the building trades, truck driving school,” said Markkanen (R-Houghton). “It lets them explore other options with their higher education. In today’s job market, welding, other skills, electricians, plumbers. We need plumbers. Auto mechanics. That field is going to be changing real quickly, too. We need people with those skills.”
Right now, Michigan students have to attend a university, four-year college or a community college at least half the time to be eligible for the Fostering Futures Scholarship. Markkanen’s bill would change that.
It now goes to the full House for consideration.
