On the effective date of this act, officers and employees who were engaged immediately prior to said date in the performance of powers, duties, and functions of the state printing plant or state printer or central duplicating, which becomes a part of the division of printing created by this act, or the powers, duties and functions of which are transferred to the division of printing or director of printing, and who, in the opinion of the secretary of administration are necessary to perform the powers, duties, and functions of the division of printing shall become officers and employees of the division of printing, and shall retain all retirement benefits and all rights of civil service which such officer or employee had before the effective date of this act, and their services shall be deemed to have been continuous. All transfers and any abolishment of positions of personnel in the classified civil service shall be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and regulations.