City of Detroit investing $100M in job training program

Detroit is pushing hard to get the long-term unemployed back to work. A new scholarship program in the city aims to pay residents to gain the basic skills needed to re-enter the workforce. The city has been making progress toward bringing down unemployment since spiking to 38% at the start of the pandemic. In November, Detroit's jobless rate fell below 7% for the first time in nearly two decades—a significant improvement, but still lagging behind the state unemployment rate. The city will use $100 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to provide residents with scholarships for job training opportunities. Those eligible can get assistance through multiple programs. For example, residents can get paid $10 an hour to learn basic math and reading skills and even earn their high school diplomas.