To help meet the current need in Michigan for skilled workers, Gov. Rick Snyder has repeatedly called for an increased focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in our schools — objectives that many of my fellow lawmakers and I support.

Rep. Amanda Price, Sen. Phil Pavlov and I have joined together to introduce legislation in both the Senate and the House that would help give Michigan students a leg up on getting a job in a high-skilled career or continuing their education.

Senate Bills 169 and 170 and House Bills 4284 and 4285 would allow a student to receive a STEM certification on their high school diploma. The endorsement would also be visible on student transcripts for future technical training, community college and college application review.

If the bills are enacted, Michigan would be the first state to institute such a STEM certification opportunity.

Michigan’s economy is growing and creating jobs, yet many of these positions remain unfilled. This initiative is the next step in ensuring that we are doing all we can to help prepare Michigan students for success and also meet the skilled workforce needs of a growing economy.

We worked together to enact legislation last year that strongly encourages schools to establish programs that award credit toward a college degree or an industry-recognized professional certificate.

I am proud that we are giving students a chance to receive on-the-job training, and this certification is an excellent way to highlight a student’s accomplishments.

Education is not a one-size-fits-all business, and STEM education plays an important role in giving everyone an opportunity for success.

Both the new law and this new initiative are part of an ongoing effort to ensure all students are given the education they need to be successful.

By giving students the option to pursue this certification on their diploma and transcript, we can help them improve their college resume and their chances to fill the thousands of in-demand positions currently available in Southwest Michigan, including 700 unfilled engineering jobs.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.