(1) Counseling or guidance staff employed by a school district, which for purposes of this section may include noncertified, nonendorsed personnel, shall devote an appropriate portion of working time and effort to employment counseling and placement services for pupils 16 to 19 years of age who do not intend to enroll in an institution of higher education after graduating from high school or who require or desire employment in conjunction with their continued education.

    (2) A school district may enter into an agreement with 1 or more school districts, with the intermediate school district to which the school district is constituent, or with any other appropriate unit of local government to establish a joint or cooperative employment counseling or placement service. Upon the request of a school district, the Michigan employment security commission, the department of labor, or any other appropriate state agency shall provide assistance in establishing or conducting the service. A school district operating a placement service shall not be subject to section 6 of Act No. 301 of the Public Acts of 1974, being section 338.2006 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and shall not charge a fee or any other consideration.