Wagner-Peyser Act

Michigan continues to create and implement new policy directives for the Wagner-Peyser program in order to address the challenges employers encounter in obtaining highly skilled talent.  The customer-centered, demand-driven system Michigan has created benefits the job seeker by directing individuals to prepare for jobs that are in-demand and matching talent to those jobs.  In addition, new and stronger partnerships are created and renewed in order to improve service delivery, to avoid duplication of services, and to enhance service coordination, including co-locating agencies within the Michigan Works! Agency’s (MWA’s) One-Stop centers and sharing information across programs. 

The Michigan Works! Association continues to coordinate professional development activities for Employment Service front line-staff.  The training provided is designed to enable staff to provide high-quality services to job seekers and employers.  The activities sponsored by the Michigan Works! Association, educate, motivate and train staff to meet the needs of Michigan’s customer-centered, demand-driven system.  Two certifications that are utilized throughout the MWAs are the Business Solution Professional (BSP) and the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).  The BSP training provides employment service staff with a level of knowledge and expertise required to support employers in the areas of training grants, business consultation, tax-related incentives, Lean or Six-Sigma and educational programs.  The GCDF training assists employment service staff in helping job seekers meet their career goals.  This training provides basic career facilitating skills, including productive interpersonal relationships; labor market and occupational information and trends; formal and informal career development assessments; job search strategies and placement techniques. 

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity provides the following program specific training opportunities to both state administrative and local area front line staff: 

• Pure Michigan Talent Connect (Talent Connect):  Talent Connect is the heart of Michigan’s Labor exchange system.  Talent Connect connects talent to in-demand job opportunities, 24/7-365 days a year and is the launch pad for new jobs, careers, and talent.  Training for Talent Connect, is delivered, on-demand, in-person, through webinars, and on-line tutorials, which includes how to use and navigate the system for the most efficient and positive results.
   
• All Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants are required to register for work by entering a profile in the Pure Michigan Talent Connect.
   
• Pure Michigan Talent Connect also provides career exploration, which includes skill assessments, skill development, career spotlight, calendar of job fairs and the eLearning soft skills program.

• Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA):  RESEA is a program that provides customized services to UI claimants deemed most likely to exhaust their UI benefits.  Early intervention with a proactive approach should result in retuning the unemployed back to work sooner.  Only claimants referred from the UI may receive services through the RESEA program.

• Fidelity Bonding Program:  A fidelity bond is a business insurance policy that insures an employer against employee theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement.  Fidelity bonding provides an incentive for employers to hire job seekers who are qualified but are considered high risk due to a factor in their personal background.  The Fidelity Bonding Program diminishes the risk for employers and reduces the barriers to employment faced by job seekers.  The training that is provided by the State Bonding Coordinator includes how to promote the program, features of the program, who is eligible, and how to process the paperwork.
   
• Veterans Preference and Priority of Service:  Veteran Employment Services Division routinely provides training on preference and priority of service for Veterans.  

The Veterans Services team also provides guidance to MWA Service Center staff on how to identify and refer a veteran to a Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialist for intensive case management services.  All MWA regions have Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program Specialists and Local Veterans Employment Representatives staff located within their region and are stationed within MWA offices throughout the state.  This ensures Michigan’s returning heroes receive the quantity and quality of services of which they are entitled. 

• Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker (MSFW) outreach workers participate in a Pre-Season Training Conference held in late March to early April.  Technical and operational training is conducted by management staff, the state monitor advocate and outside organizations.  All technical training is conducted, reviewed, and approved by the State Monitor Advocate.  At the end of every MSFW peak season, October/November, a Post-Season Training Conference is held.  Training topics include:  
• Employment Service Complaint System 
• Identifying and Reporting Apparent Violations 
• Agricultural Recruitment System 
• Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act 
• Referral Process for Referring Workers to Agricultural Jobs 
• MSFW Outreach Reporting-Log of Daily Outreach Activities 
• Order Holding Office/Applicant Holding Office Responsibilities 
• Sexual Harassment  
• One-Stop Services 
• Unemployment Insurance
   
• Employment Service Complaint Training:  The State Monitor Advocate provides training when needed, but at least annually on the Employment Service Complaint System.  Attendees learn how to recognize a complaint, the types of complaints, how to properly resolve or refer complaints, properly documenting the complaint process, record retention and distribution.

• Wagner-Peyser Employment Service Policy and Program Change Events:  The State Employment Service specialists provide the following learning opportunities as needed:

• Overview of the Employment Service Program;

• The Work Test One-Stop center (America’s Job Center) Staff Responsibilities;

• Policy and procedure instruction; and

• New program rollout preparation.

• One-Stop Management Information System (OSMIS)-Wagner-Peyser Training:  The OSMIS is the electronic reporting database in Michigan.  Data, services, and activities collected in this system are used to compile the Federal reports.  Training is provided when modifications are made to the OSMIS, or when reporting requirements and definitions have changed.

• Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Training and Development:  The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has implemented professional development pathways for state staff.  Each trajectory is uniquely designed to complement the core competencies assigned to each employee’s job designation.