Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a new program called “Futures for Frontliners” on Wednesday. The program would allow front-line workers without college degrees to access a tuition-free college education or tech certification, similar to how the GI Bill functioned post-World War II, as reported by CNN. The program refers to a wide range of essential workers: people in hospitals, obviously, but also people who deliver supplies, workers who stock shelves, those who manufacture personal protective equipment, child care workers, people working in nursing homes, and people working in grocery stores.
"I want to assure all of our workers we will never forget those of you who stepped up and sacrificed their own health during this crisis,” Whitmer said in a
statement. “You're the reason we're going to get through this."
Here’s how it would work. First, the state legislature needs to approve the program. The statewide program would begin by January 2021, according to local outlet KTXS 12. The program itself would give front-line workers the chance to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at the university level, or technical certification. It’s unclear how much the program would cost, but according to MLive, Whitmer hopes to use a combination of CARES Act funds, plus a separate fund for helping workers build new skills.
At the press conference on Wednesday, Whitmer compared front-line workers to Americans who “put their lives on the line to defend the rest of us from a foreign enemy” in the past, and spoke about how the nation gave such Americans “educational opportunities” (like the GI Bill) upon return. In facing the coronavirus pandemic, Whitmer said the “enemy” is a virus, “but our frontline workers are just as heroic, and that's why it's important for us to extend some gratitude, and some opportunity, once we are beyond this moment."
In the past, Whitmer has also been a strong advocate for a tuition-free community college program for the state. Reconnect, as Whitmer mentioned, offers tuition-free community college to adults over 25 who don’t already have a college degree. Notably, Grand Rapids Community College has since offered a free associate degree for any student who graduates from one of the 22 high schools located in the city. That specific program has students fill out FAFSA, and will cover the expenses not covered through need-based aid—for example, books or course fees.
In a time when essential workers desperately need a workers’ bill of rights, every step toward helping with their long-term success is an important one. Of course, enough personal protective equipment, paid leave, and affordable health insurance are necessities that can’t be overlooked for today, either. Especially given that GOP lawmakers are worried about shielding companies from lawsuits over worker endangerment when it comes to the next phase of federal relief bills.