Associated Press

LANSING — The new Department of Talent and Economic Development is expected to launch today with the aim of making Michigan a national leader in talent development for skilled trades.

Gov. Rick Snyder issued an executive order in December creating the department to house the state’s economic growth and job training efforts. That order also created the Michigan Talent Investment Agency within the new department.

Crain’s first reported the creation of the department in December. Read more about the creation of that department and the naming of its executive director, Steve Arwood, who is also president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Snyder says the move will help achieve a goal of his second term: developing a talented workforce trained to do skilled jobs that employers are having trouble filling. An event is today.

The Department of Talent and Economic Development will fold existing unemployment, workforce development and housing agencies, and the Michigan Strategic Fund under one roof. It will also coordinate job preparedness and worker training programs.

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