As Michigan's auto industry begins to rebound from the economic downturn, industry officials look to close the skills gap in the manufacturing and high-end technology sectors.
According to the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, the minimum education now required for an assembly-line job at a car manufacturing plant is a two-year college degree.
Economics professor Charles Ballard told the Detroit Free Press that Michigan needs to invest in the education of its future skill trades workforce.
"If there's any lesson that we should take away, it's that we need to ramp up the skills of our workforce," Ballard told the news agency. "All the richest states have one thing in common: They have a high proportion of college degrees."
Michigan performs below average when it comes to producing college graduates.
Economists are forecasting that Michigan will end this year with the first positive net increase in jobs since 2000 and predict even more job growth over the next two years.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals with an advanced postsecondary degree have the potential to earn $500 more per week than those with a high school diploma or less.
A new report has found that those with automobile technician training may be busy in the future, as more cars have hit the road recently in the U.S.
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Two major car manufacturers have announced plans to ramp up production at assembly plants in Ohio and Tennessee.
For T.J Lasilla, a Munising, Michigan auto mechanic, offering discounted auto repair services to veterans is a no brainer, Fox TV-6 reports.