Why Career‑Connected Learning Is Michigan’s Competitive Advantage

By Roger Curtis, Executive Director, Youth Solutions

Michigan stands at a defining moment. The global economy is bracing for a talent shortfall of more than 85 million workers by 2030, likely costing businesses trillions in unattained revenue. Here at home, Michigan’s economy depends on a diverse, future-ready talent pipeline—yet employers across the state increasingly feel the strain of a workforce not keeping pace with changing needs.

Labor force participation sits at just 62.2% while youth disconnection and youth employment lag behind national averages at 16.2% and 12.9% respectively. Meanwhile, thousands of high school graduates are leaving Michigan each year in search of opportunities elsewhere.

But the deeper issue is not simply a talent gap— it's an education-to-career connection gap. Students are graduating without direction, relevance, or a clear path forward. Without coordinated, long-term action, Michigan risks losing both its future workforce and its competitive edge.

The Career Exposure Gap Holding Michigan Back

This gap appears clearly in the experiences of Michigan students and educators. In 2021, Youth Solutions surveyed 5,737 middle and high school students and 526 educators on career awareness and planning. The findings revealed a significant disconnect between education and opportunity— only 15% of students were aware of Michigan’s 17 career clusters, and just 16% understood the state’s fastest‑growing job markets. In other words, most students are disconnected from the opportunities shaping Michigan’s economy.

Career planning is also inconsistent. Seventy six percent of students surveyed either lack a documented Educational Development Plan (EDP) or aren’t sure they have one, despite EDPs being a statewide requirement. Many schools meet the technical requirement by relying on generic assessments, but without meaningful guidance, students don’t see why career planning matters.

What's even more concerning is that only 55% of students surveyed say they have someone at school who helps them plan for their future, leaving nearly half to navigate life after graduation on their own.

Educators Are Ready—But Need Support

Educators overwhelmingly want to provide more career-connected experiences. Nearly 88% believe their school could be more career‑focused, and 90% said they would integrate career-related activities with administrative support. Yet only 24% have received professional development related to career development.

Families face similar challenges. More than half are unaware of Michigan’s EDP requirement, and nearly 49% have never been offered a chance to review their child’s plan.

Why Career‑Connected Learning Is the Solution

Career-connected learning is more than a program; it is a strategic solution to Michigan’s long-term workforce needs. When students understand how their learning connects to real opportunities, they are more engaged, better prepared, and more confident in their postsecondary plans.

Career-connected learning helps students:

• Discover their “why”

• Explore high‑demand career pathways

• Understand how classroom learning translates to real‑world skills

• Build essential skills such as communication, teamwork and problem‑solving

• Create purposeful postsecondary plans that reduce costly detours

  
  

This approach not only better engages students in the classroom, it is closing the career exposure gap that has weakened Michigan’s long‑term competitiveness.

Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates: A Proven Model

Youth Solutions started with just one program— Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG)--- in 2008. Launched at Benton Harbor High School with 76 of the school’s most at‑risk students, JMG quickly proved transformative. The next year, it expanded to four neighboring school districts, and soon after, the state invested in scaling the program through partnerships with 16 Michigan Works! Agencies. Since 2008, JMG has served more than 37,000 students, maintaining a 90% graduation rate for 13 consecutive years. What's more, 63% of JMG high school graduates go on to further their education.*

For many students, JMG comes at a pivotal crossroads: when the right guidance and connection to opportunity can change the course of their future.

From Program to System

As graduation and engagement rates rose for JMG students, Youth Solutions began asking a larger question: How can we build a system that supports every student—not just those in crisis?

In 2022, a transformative investment from the Strada Education Foundation enabled Youth Solutions to move from program-level impact to systems-level change. Guided by a long-term objective to increase students' pursuit of career pathways and high school graduation by strengthening career development systems and removing barriers, this three-year partnership launched a scalable and sustainable schoolwide model for career-connected learning called YS Foundations.

Now in 19 schools and seven ISD/RESA collaboratives across Michigan, YS Foundations uses a structured, multi-phase approach to assess strengths, identify gaps, and build durable systems designed for long-term sustainability.

Three years later, the results are clear: a systems-based approach works. Schools are building sustainable structures that can withstand staff turnover, leadership transitions, and shifting priorities. Students are more aware of career pathways, educators feel more equipped, and— most importantly— student outcomes including attendance and graduation rates are improving.

Michigan’s Moment

Michigan has a rare opportunity to modernize its education‑to‑workforce pipeline—starting earlier, integrating career relevance into the classroom, and ensuring every student graduates with a plan and a purpose. Career‑connected learning is how we get there.

But recognizing the opportunity is only the first step. Moving forward will require aligning partners, strengthening what works, and expanding access so every young person can explore, experience, and prepare for real pathways.

Download our White Paper to read more information on our systems-based approach to career-connected learning. 

*Cumulative program outcomes are based on data through the end of the 2024-2025 program year.

— Roger Curtis

Executive Director, Youth Solutions