LANSING – State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) today announced that a plan he worked on allowing "career" schools to sell the services or products their students provide was passed by the House. The plan, which will help keep the Great Lakes Boat Building School in business, now heads to the Senate.
"Career schools such as the Great Lakes Boat Building School are important components of our communities and our economy," McDowell said. "These schools provide jobs for teachers, bring investment into our state and give our students the training they need to succeed. This plan will ensure that they continue to thrive."
The plan allows career schools – which are privately owned post-secondary schools that charge tuition to teach vocational or occupational skills – to sell their goods or services for a nominal fee. The Department of Labor and Economic Growth recently sent out notices to begin the process of revoking licenses for some proprietary schools, including massage therapy and pet grooming schools.
McDowell worked to insert language into the plan ensuring that the Great Lakes Boat Building School would be covered under it. The school, which opened last year and is located in Cedarville in the Les Cheneaux Islands, offers students the opportunity to master wooden boat building. It is the only career school of its kind in the state. The school is accredited through North Central Michigan College, located in Petoskey.
"As State Representative, I am committed to creating and protecting jobs in Northern Michigan," McDowell said. "Losing the Great Lakes Boat Building School and other career schools would be a blow to our communities. This plan will allow them to train a world-class workforce for the 21st century economy while bringing jobs and investment to Michigan today."