Michigan Schools Expand Career Tech as Debate Over College Value Grows

Michigan is putting more money into career and technical education (CTE), changing what students learn and how they get ready for work. But as these programs grow, the debate over whether high schoolers should focus on skilled trades or aim for a four-year college degree is heating up again. Nearly 115,000 high school students took CTE courses in the 2024-25 school year, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Programs now run in 390 school buildings across the state. Districts like Farmington Public Schools are adjusting their classes to keep up with the job market and what students want to study.

CTE options now include everything from health care and accounting to welding and plumbing. Some students start exploring careers as early as seventh grade. The state has set aside $40 million to help districts pay for dual enrollment courses, letting students earn both industry credentials and college credit. The Ottawa News Network reports that the Michigan Department of Education is still working out how to distribute these funds, which will affect how local school boards, including those in Oakland County, support students moving forward.

State funding and program growth

Michigan's investment in CTE is visible in many places. In Genesee County, students start planning careers before high school. At the Southeast Construction Academy in Sterling Heights, more than 900 students take evening trade classes while working construction jobs during the day. The Michigan Department of Education says today's CTE programs are a far cry from the old "shop class" model, focusing on hands-on learning for jobs that are in demand. In Farmington Hills, the city's economic development office has pointed to partnerships between local employers and schools as a way to help students get ready for work.

Community colleges and labor unions are also working together so that trade apprenticeships can count toward associate degrees. In 2026, the state launched the Michigan College Credit for Apprenticeships program with the Michigan Community College Association, MiLEAP, and the Workforce Development Board. So far, 28 public and tribal community colleges have agreed to give credit for apprenticeship training, creating a new path from hands-on work to formal academic credentials. The state's goal is for 60% of working-age adults to have a skills certificate or college degree by 2030.

Debate over college versus trades

Not everyone thinks more career training is the answer. Some warn that focusing on skilled trades could leave students in lower-paying jobs, since most of Michigan's high-demand jobs through 2034 still require at least a bachelor's degree. State data shows that two-thirds of the 67,000 projected high-wage job openings will need a four-year degree or more. Electricians and plumbers can earn up to $93,600 a year after apprenticeships, but they make up a small share of total openings. Jobs like construction labor and truck driving, which don't require college, usually pay less than the state's average personal income.

Lou Glazer of Michigan Future says most good-paying jobs still require college, and he questions whether those promoting CTE would want their own kids to skip college. Federal Reserve Bank of New York data shows 42% of recent college graduates are underemployed, but state figures suggest that students who finish both a CTE program and a bachelor's degree tend to earn the most. The City of Farmington has noted in council meetings that local employers want candidates with both technical skills and higher education, reflecting a dual-track approach now common among policymakers.

Access and outcomes vary

CTE access isn't the same everywhere in Michigan. Students can take courses at their high school, at regional career centers, or through workforce training groups. Some earn industry credentials or even associate degrees before graduating. But results depend on how deep the training goes and whether students continue their education. Research led by Shaun Dougherty at Boston College found that students in college-aligned CTE programs, like healthcare or applied engineering, are more likely to go on to college, while those in traditional trades often go straight to work.

Among Michigan students who finished an associate degree through CTE in 2017-2018, about 34% later earned a bachelor's degree or higher. Those who stopped at a certificate were less likely to keep going. The state lets industry professionals teach CTE courses without a teaching certificate, and 1,400 such authorizations were granted in 2024-25. Oakland County officials have tracked these trends, noting that local districts are trying to expand CTE access, especially for underrepresented students.

Changing graduation requirements

As Michigan looks at changing high school graduation rules, some advocates want to focus less on time spent in class and more on showing real skills and career experience. Only a quarter of Michigan's high school juniors are considered college-ready based on SAT scores, and elementary literacy rates are still a concern. About 55% of the class of 2025 enrolled in college within six months of graduation, according to early data from the Michigan Department of Education.

Some educators say all students need some kind of postsecondary training to get good jobs, whether that's college or skilled trades. Diana Allard of Genesee ISD says students have to show proof of their skills to compete in today's job market. But she also says Michigan's funding system still makes it hard for districts to fully open up CTE options within graduation requirements. For more on local school board decisions and upcoming public hearings, residents can check the Farmington Public Schools Board of Education portal.

For a broader look at how local governments are adapting to workforce and infrastructure changes, see our previous investigation.

What's next for Michigan students

Michigan's education leaders are balancing two needs: more skilled workers in trades and ongoing demand for college-educated professionals. The state is now encouraging students to build both technical skills and academic credentials. As new agreements between schools, colleges, and labor unions develop, the real question is whether students can use these options to find stable, well-paying jobs.

Michigan's CTE expansion is a bet that more pathways will help students succeed, but so far, the best results go to those who combine technical training with higher education. The challenge is making sure students aren't pushed too early into narrow tracks that limit their choices later. Until graduation requirements and funding fully support both college and career readiness, CTE's promise will be uneven-and the debate over its value will continue.