GRAND RAPIDS — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), along with Michigan Works! agencies statewide are celebrating Michigan’s leading rankings in helping job seekers get employed and connecting businesses with the talent they need to thrive in Michigan.

Michigan is No. 1 in the region for helping adults who use workforce development services get employed, No. 4 nationally in active Registered Apprentices and No. 6 in new Registered Apprentices. In addition to apprenticeships, Michigan is among the national leaders in helping adults get employed by connecting them to workforce system services like Michigan Works!. Michigan has achieved an 84% credential attainment rate across the education and training pipeline, making it No. 3 in the nation for adult credential attainment through workforce programs.

“The progress we’re seeing across Michigan is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in people, strengthen our workforce and stay focused on creating opportunity,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “Michigan is a national leader in creating opportunity and supporting our workforce, and we’re committed to building on that momentum. We’ll continue working together with workers, employers and our partners across the state to expand opportunity, strengthen our economy and make Michigan the best place to work, live and thrive.”

These visits celebrated the many successes the State of Michigan and Michigan Works! Agencies are seeing through workforce programs and Registered Apprenticeships.

“This tour made one thing clear: Michigan’s workforce partnerships are working,” said Michigan Works! CEO Ryan Hundt. “Statewide workforce programs help employers train and keep the talent they need, and scaling them back means fewer Michiganders gaining skills and fewer businesses growing here. Continued investment in proven programs is how Michigan stays competitive.”

The series of roundtables at 15 Michigan Works! Agencies concluded at West Michigan Works! highlighting the significant progress on Michigan’s Statewide Workforce plan and its core goals to help more Michiganders earn a skills certificate or degree, increase opportunities to grow the middle class, and support business and entrepreneurial growth through talent solutions, making it possible for businesses to start, stay, and thrive in Michigan.

“We’re seeing how bringing together local employers is having a direct impact on connecting job seekers to meaningful careers,” said West Michigan Works! CEO Jacob Maas. Achieving these milestones wouldn’t happen without bringing partners together from the state to the local level.”

Michigan’s workforce success is built on collaboration among employers, labor organizations, educators and workforce development partners, with programs helping workers gain skills and businesses build the talent they need.