A plan from state Rep. Brian BeGole that gives students a head start as they pursue trades careers was advanced in bipartisan fashion today by the Michigan House.

House Bill 4154 makes trade schools eligible for dual enrollment classes. Dual enrollment is a good way for students to get ahead on college credits while they’re still in high school. But state law currently does not allow for high school students to be dually enrolled in trade schools to learn applicable skills. This has created a gap that prevents career and technical education students from being able to earn college credit and opportunities to help fill labor shortages in skilled trades.

“This can be the difference between a student being gainfully employed and supporting themselves or their families through the skilled trades or being unemployed,” BeGole said when addressing the plan before the House. “This plan opens doors for students and provides opportunity.”

BeGole noted that the eligibility would be critical for Shiawassee County and surrounding areas.

“The intermediate school district in Shiawassee County has an invocational trade school that could benefit from this added capability,” BeGole said. “There’s a welding school nearby in Alma. There’s a building and construction school right near where we voted on this bill in Lansing. We just need to provide avenues for students who are looking at good-paying careers in these fields. With this bill, we can further diversify our workforce and cement Michigan as a leader for in-demand skilled trades workers.”

Michigan students have been provided the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school since 1996. Classes that students are eligible for must be offered by a state university or community college, and must lead towards postsecondary credit, accreditation, certification, and/or licensing. BeGole’s bill, which adds trade schools to this beneficial arrangement, is part of a comprehensive education reforms that give Michigan students more tools to thrive in the classroom and prepare for careers while giving parents needed transparency and accountability.

HB 4154 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Brian BeGole speaks on House Bill 4154 on Thursday, March 20 at the state Capitol in Lansing.