Rule change proposal could force dozens of Michigan Works! locations to close

A federal rule change could impact the way employment services would have to be delivered and force the state's workforce development operation Capital Area Michigan Works! to close more than a dozen offices across the state.

The Wagner-Act was established in 1933 and Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Works! Association Ryan Hundt said that act helped establish the workforce delivery system across the country.

“We can meet the labor challenges for businesses and helping them identify qualified talent and helping those individuals through the pipeline into the businesses in all regions of the state, and we also work very closely with job seekers as well to help them identify resources that they can have or they can access in order to maintain employment,” Hundt said.

Hundt said Michigan has a flexible model allowing Michigan Works! employees to be hands on.

“We have that locally responsive, flexible model where local Michigan Works! staff are the ones interacting with businesses and job seekers every single day, helping them to identify resources to be successful in today's global economy,” Hundt said.