New website created to help unemployed find work in Michigan

The Pure Michigan Talent Connect, found online at MiTalent.org, offers opportunities for workers to get their names out in the open and for business owners to post job openings.

The front page of the website posts easy-to-follow links that redirect Michiganders looking for work or seeking out potential employees to a "Job Portal," where jobs are organized into different categories.

The site also boasts a "Career Events" page, which contains links to different job fairs around the state.

Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates in the U.S. The most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for November 2011, lists Michigan's unemployment rate at 9.8 percent.

Isabella County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state, at 5.7 percent. Nevertheless, Michigan Sen. Judy Emmons, who represents District 33, which includes Isabella County, urged unemployed workers to use the site.

“The comprehensive site is designed to help connect job seekers with employers, and I encourage all mid-Michigan workers who are unemployed or looking to get ahead to take advantage of this useful job search site," Emmons said in a news release.

Pure Michigan Talent Connect also has tools for Michiganders looking for new career or educational paths. The "Career Matchmaker" tool is used to pair up an employer's needs and a potential employee's skill sets. The "Career Investment Calculator" is available to help those looking to find a new career path determine how much money it will cost them with any additional education that may be required.

The website also contains tools designed to help entrepreneurs start new businesses in Michigan and to help veterans find work and take full advantage of services available to them.