Michigan Higher Education Partnership Council launches

The Michigan Higher Education Partnership Council has launched its new "Keep Learning, Michigan" program in an effort to increase educational attainment across the state. 

The program, created by Business Leaders for Michigan and endorsed by Gov. Rick Snyder, is being launched following the release of a report that shows 70 percent of Michigan jobs will require more education that a high school diploma in the next five years.

The Michigan Association of State Universities, in which Grand Valley is a member, is a partner in the program along with Business Leaders for Michigan, Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, the Michigan Community College Association and the Office of the Governor.

The program is a voluntary partnership designed to facilitate greater collaboration between and among Michigan business, government and higher education institutions that leads to state and individual economic and social prosperity.

Currently, Michigan ranks 31st in the number of working age people with an associate's degree or higher, and only about 37 percent of Michigan workers currently have an education past high school.

The report that recommended creation of the Michigan Higher Education Partnership Council can be found on the Business Leaders for Michigan website.