LANSING — Men are falling behind in career training and education nationally.
Why that’s happening is a little more complex, including differences in brain development, societal expectations, and the potential for biases in education. These factors can contribute to boys facing greater challenges in school, such as being more likely to be suspended, have lower GPAs, and drop out of school.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is trying to remedy that in Michigan. Whitmer has signed an executive directive instructing the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to expand outreach to men about tuition-free education and job training programs.
The goal is to close gender gaps in higher education and support the state’s Sixty by 30 initiative—boosting the number of working-age Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by 2030.
“Here in Michigan, we’ve worked hard to lower costs and help people achieve their goals,” said Governor Whitmer. “But too many men still lack the resources they need to succeed. This directive ensures more Michiganders know about the programs that can help them get a good-paying job and build a better future.”
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II added, “We’re committed to lowering the cost of education and expanding opportunity for every Michigander. Let’s keep standing tall so everyone has a chance to thrive.”
LEO Director Susan Corbin noted the importance of reaching underserved groups. “Expanding access strengthens opportunity for everyone and builds a stronger, more inclusive Michigan.”
MiLEAP Director Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea emphasized the need to better engage men. “We must ensure all populations are prepared for in-demand jobs. Under this directive, we’ll double down on outreach and support to connect men with programs like Michigan Reconnect and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.”
Free career pathways
Whitmer has championed programs that reduce education costs and connect residents with skilled trades and career training. Michigan Reconnect offers tuition-free degrees and certificates to adults 21 and older. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship provides up to $27,500 in aid to recent high school graduates attending public or private institutions. More than 66,000 people are enrolled in Reconnect and over 60,000 use the Achievement Scholarship.
Despite this progress, a significant gender gap remains. Enrollment in Reconnect is two-to-one, women to men, mirroring national trends where more women than men are attending college.
Why It Matters
Men are falling behind in education and employment nationwide:
Undergraduate enrollment for men dropped 10.2% in 2021.
45,000 fewer boys graduate high school each year than girls.
Women hold more associate degrees or higher than men (55.3% vs. 44.3%).
Boys comprise two-thirds of the lowest-performing students.
Workforce and Education Investments
The Whitmer-Gilchrist administration continues to invest in education and job training:
Michigan Guarantee: Free community college for all high school graduates.
$125 million CTE investment to support 32,000 students.
Over 22,000 new apprenticeships created.
Programs launched to train workers for jobs in electric vehicles, semiconductors, and battery production.
Entrepreneurship programs have helped launch over 1,300 high-tech companies and 20,000 jobs.
This directive ensures all Michiganders—regardless of gender—have the opportunity to succeed in Michigan’s growing economy.
