Advocacy News – March 27, 2026
What’s happening: The Michigan Chamber is working to advance AP Career Kickstart – a new set of Advanced Placement courses developed by the College Board in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – designed to connect high school learning with real-world, in demand careers.
- The first courses include AP Business Principles/Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity, with more expected to follow.
Why it matters: Michigan employers consistently report difficulty finding entry-level workers with basic workplace skills – from communication and problem-solving to financial literacy. Preparing students for the workforce must start earlier.
How it helps:
- For students: Earn college credit in high school, build practical, in-demand workplace skills and work toward industry-recognized credentials.
- For employers: A stronger pipeline of graduates ready for real-world work.
Where it stands: Courses are expected to launch nationwide in 2026–27, with early approvals underway in multiple states.
What you can do: Ask your local school districts and boards to offer AP Career Kickstart courses and support programs that prepare students for careers.
Bottom line: Connecting classroom learning to career skills earlier helps ensure Michigan students graduate ready to succeed – and strengthens our workforce and economy.
Go deeper | Get involved:
- Learn more about AP Career Kickstart and available courses.
- Connect with the MI Chamber’s Dan Papineau to explore how your business, organization or school can get involved.
- Stay informed with key updates via this quick form.