Michigan Career Portal Shutting Down, Redirecting Job Seekers to Michigan Works and Pure Michigan Talent Connect

State's Online Job Site Closes After 2.5 Years Without Budget Funding

The Michigan Career Portal, the state's official online job site, will shut down on April 30, 2026, after operating for 2.5 years without receiving budget funding in fiscal year 2026.

The portal, which provided up-to-date information on approximately 120,000 job listings statewide, was launched in 2023 as part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's "You Can in Michigan" marketing campaign. The initiative aimed to grow the state's population and attract more workers to Michigan.

The site utilized FutureFit AI technology to rank a user's compatibility with job postings based on information in their jobseeker profile. Matches were scored using factors including experience, education, certifications, skills and qualifications. Michigan was the first state to use FutureFit AI's technology for economic development purposes.

AI-Powered Matching Showed Promise

A case study by Jongeun You, an assistant professor at Northern Michigan University and member of the university's artificial intelligence work group, found the portal's AI system demonstrated effectiveness in connecting job seekers with opportunities.

The study found the portal's AI "reduces the time burden for job seekers and increases the likelihood of successful matches, contributing to higher engagement and application rates."

The research showed the average click rate on the application button for a job posting on the Michigan Career Portal was 15 percent. By comparison, other career sites average about 5 percent.

An internal survey conducted by the portal in May 2025 gathered responses from more than 26,000 users. Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they had found job opportunities through the site.

No Budget Funding in 2026

Despite those results, the portal did not receive funding in the State of Michigan's fiscal year 2026 budget. An MEDC spokesperson told WKAR News no one was available to comment on the closure.

The NMU case study noted the Michigan Career Portal "laid the groundwork for a future Pure Michigan Talent Connect to become a more effective tool for Michigan," but no plans have been announced for how the state will build on this foundation.

What Happens Next

In its closure announcement, the Michigan Career Portal pointed job seekers to other resources, including Michigan Works! agencies and Pure Michigan Talent Connect. The portal will remain operational through April 30, 2026.

Michigan Works! is the state's workforce development system, operating career centers across Michigan that provide job seekers with resume help, job placement services, and training program information. Pure Michigan Talent Connect is the state's other online job matching platform.

The closure comes as Michigan continues to face workforce challenges, with job seekers often citing childcare access, pay gaps, and other barriers as factors affecting their ability to enter and remain in the workforce.