On the program this week, host Phil Tower, welcomes Bill Coderre, president and CEO of Junior Achievement Michigan Great Lakes. JA's primary focus these days is helping students with financial literacy.  A big reason for that push with Junior achievement is that a new law passed in 2022 by the Michigan legislature requires that students must take a course in personal finance that is aligned with the personal finance content expectations or take a course in which the content expectations are embedded. Students earn ½ credit once they have demonstrated learning about personal finance content expectations.

Online: Junior Achievement Michigan Great Lakes

In our second half of the program this week, Phil spoke with Kerry Ebersole Singh, Executive Vice President & Chief of Talent Solutions and Engagement Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  In mid-April, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation changed the focus of its STEM Forward program to “STEAM Ahead” by building in new internship roles and opportunities that focus on the intersection of arts and science, technology, engineering, and math careers such as front-end web developers and industrial designers. The MEDC also announced new incentives through the STEAM Ahead program that are focused on helping Michigan businesses of all sizes to hire interns, add work experience opportunities for college students, and potentially find long-term, highly skilled talent to hire

Online: “STEAM Ahead"