Michigan high school seniors could soon earn academic credit for full-time jobs in skilled trades, thanks to a bill that just passed the state House and now heads to the Senate.
Michigan high school seniors might soon get school credit for working full time in skilled trades. On September 10, 2026, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 5648. This bill lets students earn credit for paid jobs in fields like HVAC, construction, and other technical trades, as long as the work matches approved career and technical education paths. The House passed the bill 59-39. Now it sits with the Michigan Senate. As of now, open-source legislative trackers do not show further movement on HB 5648 according to Politically.com.
The plan would let seniors earn credit if they work at least 30 hours a week in a qualifying trade or job. Local school districts or public school academy boards would decide if a job counts. This is especially relevant for districts like Farmington Public Schools, where the board often reviews graduation rules and alternative credit options. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which already lists HVAC as a skilled trade, would help define which jobs qualify for credit.
To join the program, students must have paid jobs that offer real training or skills development that can be verified. The bill says workplaces must have proper safety rules and insurance. Student training must be documented. If a student cannot finish the work program, the bill has steps to make sure they still meet graduation requirements.
The bill also addresses the senior-year math requirement. Local school boards, including those in Oakland County, would decide if a student's job meets this math credit. If the board says the work does not count for math, the bill does not say what kind of credit the student should get instead. That choice is left up to each board. This gives districts room to shape the program to fit local job needs and student goals.
Supporters, like Rep. Jason Woolford of Howell, say college is not the only way to a good career and that Michigan needs more skilled trades workers. Local business owners and educators agree. They see this bill as a way to help fill labor gaps in technical fields. The City of Farmington and Farmington Hills have both talked about workforce development at recent city council meetings. This shows a wider push in the region to give young people more career and technical education options.
Michigan is also putting money into skilled trades training. On September 21, 2026, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bills to fund new buildings at several community colleges. These include the North Central Michigan College Skilled Trades Education Pathways Center and the Oakland Community College Skilled Trades and Industrial Technology Building. These projects are meant to work with high school programs and help students move straight from school into skilled trades jobs. Details on these investments are available in State of Michigan press releases.
The next step for House Bill 5648 is review by the Michigan Senate. If the Senate approves it, the bill goes to the governor to be signed into law. Until then, graduation rules and credit policies stay the same. Anyone interested in how this might play out locally can check updates from the Farmington Public Schools board and city council meeting agendas. The Senate's decision will show if this new option will soon be open to Michigan seniors, possibly changing how students in Farmington and across the state get ready for skilled trades careers.
