June 23, 2006 - Department of Labor & Economic Growth Director Robert W. Swanson unveiled the new Michigan Talent Bank and Labor Market Information websites today. Swanson also provided an update on the recent launch of Year Two of the MI Opportunity Partnership for employers and job seekers.

The MI Opportunity Partnership recently reached its one year goal through the “Working for Jobs Today” pledge drive by matching 30,000 workers with jobs ahead of its target date of May, 2006. The program, which places workers into jobs today and provides accelerated training for future high growth careers opportunities such as health care, is a key element of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s comprehensive plan to help the state’s economy.

“This initiative has helped strengthen our partnership in helping employers and providing assistance, training, and jobs for workers,” said Granholm. “Today we work together as a team to better serve our customers – the workers and businesses of Michigan.”

Businesses can pledge job openings at www.michigan.gov/jobstoday or by calling Michigan Works! at 1-800-285-WORKS.

Michigan Talent Bank

The Michigan Talent Bank, www.michworks.org, features 30,000 job openings and includes testimonials from jobseeker and employer customers, sample resumes and job listings. The site enhancements were the result of a partnership with DLEG, the Michigan Department of Information Technology and Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“The Michigan Talent Bank has won numerous technology awards since its launch in 1998 but we wanted to give it a more contemporary look and other enhancements now that there are more job search websites in the market,” Swanson said. “Unlike many commercial websites, the Michigan Talent Bank is absolutely free for employers and jobseekers. Our customers will love the new look and the new features to make it easier than ever before to find the perfect worker or dream job they are looking for in Michigan.”

Labor Market Information

The Labor Market Information website, also underwent an extensive makeover, and now offers economic data and analytical tools at a new easy to remember address: www.michigan.gov/lmi. The site offers a bigger range of labor market indicators than ever before for the state.

The new Michigan labor market information website,www.michigan.gov/lmi, will provide superior access to information on the state’s workforce and its regional labor markets. Whether it is information on jobs, unemployment, high demand careers, or wage rates, this site provides valuable information and analysis on the state job market.

Business, workforce professionals, job seekers, educators, economic developers, researchers, and the general public will find economic data, analytical tools, and valuable articles and publications. Users will have wider access than ever before to the full range of labor market indicators generated by DLEG as well as Federal agencies,” The ability to extract specific data for individual counties or regions for specific time periods means users may fully customize the information they receive.

Michigan Fast Facts: The Michigan Fast Facts page provides users with immediate access to some of the most popular labor market indicators published on a frequent basis such as labor force, employment, and unemployment data for Michigan, metropolitan areas, and counties; information on the Consumer Price Index; and payroll job estimates for Michigan and metro areas can be viewed or directly linked to on this page.

Data Explorer: The Data Explorer tool provides much more complete access than was ever possible before to many of the labor market and economic variables produced by DLEG or by the Federal government. Access is provided to a significant amount of historical trend data, as well as the most recent monthly, quarterly, or annual measures. Users can completely customize the data they select, by data element, geographic area, and time period. The available data types include occupational wages, labor force levels and unemployment rates, employment forecasts, job data by industry, income information, and much more. Information can be viewed, printed, or files can be downloaded for use in spreadsheets or databases.

Local Area Information: The Local Area Information component enables users of all types to examine economic indicators for specific geographic areas, or make side-by-side comparisons of regions or occupations. These modules include an occupation explorer and the ability to find employers, training providers and programs..

Career Center: The Career Center provides relevant occupational information that can be used to help individuals make more informed decisions and career choices, including the ability to find occupations by skills, interest areas, or matching current occupations. The user has the ability to produce reports, and export/download data with user-friendly navigational tools. Links to career videos are also available. 

My Site: This is a highly flexible but optional part of the site. Users have the option to obtain a user name and password and customize their home page and use site more efficiently. This enables a user to save key data queries (wages, job levels, unemployment rates) for their specific region right on their personal home page, as well as their favorite articles and publications. These saved data queries can be accessed in the future to take the user directly to the appropriate site location.

Other Features: In addition, www.michigan.gov/lmi, provides web pages with information and links of interest to specific customers, such as business, workforce development, educators, and economic development. Analytical articles on a variety of labor market topics, as well as DLEG publications, such as the regional Michigan Career Outlook 2012 brochures, are also available. Many links also appear to helpful economic websites as well as key applications such as the Michigan Career Portal, Michigan Talent Bank, and Michigan WARN Notices.