Adult Education builds pipeline to good-paying jobs to support more than half a million Michiganders without high school diplomas

More than 110 free or low-cost programs are available to help adult learners “make it in Michigan”

LANSING, Mich. — Across Michigan, families are preparing to send their students back to school. And while many people typically think of pre K-12 and college students, back to school also includes adults who understand it's never too late to learn and set themselves up for future success.

Michigan employers need a pipeline of workers with the right skills to compete in today’s global economy. For Michiganders without a high school diploma or equivalent, the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Adult Education programming opens the door to good-paying, in-demand jobs.

LEO supports more than 110 free or low-cost Adult Education programs that help residents build essential skills, earn credentials, grow the middle class, and “make it in Michigan”.

“Half a million Michigan adults do not have their high school diploma or its equivalent, preventing them from finding meaningful employment and providing for their families,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “Life happens. Things don’t always go as planned, sometimes leading us down unexpected paths. But those paths can lead to great opportunities. That's where Adult Education comes into play — giving Michiganders the skills they need to grow as workers, support their families, and contribute to their communities.”

The data is clear — the more you learn, the more you can earn. Michiganders with a high school credential can earn at least $7,600 more per year than those without one. Those who then go on to attain a two-year degree can earn an additional $24,500 more per year. That’s why it’s important to expand access to affordable education opportunities that help more Michiganders take the next step.

For adults who have already earned their high school diploma or equivalent, Michigan Reconnect, offered through the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), provides the chance to earn a skill certificate or degree tuition-free at an in-district community or Tribal college. Reconnect also covers most tuition costs for students attending an out-of-district school, regardless of income. To qualify, students must be at least 25 years old, have lived in Michigan for one year or more, and have not yet completed a college degree.

“Going back to school is a big decision, and we are here to support Michiganders who are ready to take that step,” said Michelle Richard, deputy director of Higher Education at MiLEAP. “With Michigan Reconnect, adults 25 and up can earn a skill certificate or college degree, and we have a team ready to offer the personalized, wraparound support to help you succeed. More than 10,000 people have already graduated with support from Michigan Reconnect, opening the door to high-demand, good paying jobs, and we encourage even more adults to seize this opportunity to reach their career goals.”

Adult Education programs help adults acquire foundational skills like reading, writing, math, English language proficiency and problem-solving. Strong adult literacy skills are clearly linked to higher income, better job opportunities, positive health behaviors, increased voter turnout, and enhanced language and literacy skills for their children.

As Michigan continues to focus on workforce development and economic growth, ensuring fair wages, professional support and career advancement for adult learners is essential.

Illustrating that point is Oscoda resident John McBride, 38, who received his GED in April 2025 with help from Iosco RESA and Michigan Works! Region 7B after facing hardship in his youth. At 15 years old, McBride’s parents abandoned him, forcing him to live on his own for a year and survive on fishing and hunting. He was eventually taken in by his aunt and uncle, but forced to drop out of high school and get a job to help the family make ends meet.

In the years that followed, McBride held various odd jobs, but he knew he wanted something more stable to provide for his fiancée and their three children. With help from Iosco RESA and Michigan Works!, McBride earned his GED in just six months while working a full-time job. Today, he’s enrolled in Kalitta Air LLC’s Registered Apprenticeship Program as an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic technician.

“My goal in life was always to get my GED and find a career, not just hop from job to job,” said McBride. “I feel like I have finally reached that goal. All my life, I have struggled, and now all that has changed thanks to the teams at Iosco RESA and Michigan Works!. Their Adult Education saved me and showed me you can do anything you put your mind to.”

Adult education providers include school districts, intermediate school districts, community colleges, community-based and faith-based organizations and Michigan Works! Agencies. The need for high-quality Adult Education services in Michigan is significant:

• There are more than half a million (506,376) working-age adults (age 18-64) in Michigan who do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent
• More than 230,000 of those individuals are not in the labor force, 35,732 are unemployed and 124,331 are on public assistance.
• More than 240,000 working-age adults in Michigan do not speak English very well or at all and would benefit from English as a second language (ESL) classes offered by adult education providers.
• During the 2023-24 Program Year, 30,887 Michiganders were enrolled in adult education programs.
• More than 15,000 of those Michiganders were enrolled in adult basic education, which is designed for learners with skills below the 8th-grade level.
• Enrollment in Michigan’s adult education programs has increased 24% over the last two years.

“Adult education programs open doors that change lives,” said Krista Johnson, director of LEO – Workforce Development. “It is a proven path to economic stability and stronger communities and stronger literacy skills lead to higher earnings and greater opportunities for adults and their families.”

LEO’s Adult Education programs support the goals of the Michigan Statewide Workforce Plan of helping more Michiganders earn skills certificates or degrees, increasing opportunities to grow the middle class and growing businesses to make Michigan a top 10 state for labor force participation.

Improving access to Adult Education supports the state’s “Learn More, Earn More” efforts to provide opportunities for adults to improve education skills — especially in math, reading and/or writing — obtain a high school credential, or become better English speakers.

Adults without a high school diploma are encouraged to contact their nearest Adult Education provider. LEO has an online tool, the Adult Education Services Locator, which helps visitors search for a variety of nearby services by entering their city or ZIP code.

For more information about Adult Education programs in Michigan and to use the Adult Education Services Locator tool, go to Michigan.gov/LearnMoreEarnMore.

For more information about Michigan Reconnect, go to Michgian.gov/Reconnect.

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