Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 22, 2017
(UNDATED) - The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state’s jobless rate inched slightly higher to 3.1 percent in July, still much lower than the national rate of 4.3 percent.
"Indiana's unemployment rate continues to be both at near-record lows and well below the national numbers," said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). "The recently-announced Next Level Jobs grant from the Governor will continue to support this momentum as its collaboration among employers and critical stakeholders will develop new talent and resources at the local level. This program and others designed to improve skills are an indication that the Hoosier work ethic is as strong as ever and will prevail amidst workforce challenges and opportunities."
Locally the unemployment rate is as follows:
Despite a slight increase over the past month, the unemployment rate is a reflection of the state's constricting labor market, according to Braun. The long-term challenge of developing the state's workforce to meet employer demand of more than one million jobs over the next 10 years remains DWD's top priority, he added.
The unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana's labor force decreased by 1,077 over the previous month due to a 4,008 decrease in employment and a 2,931 increase in unemployment. Indiana's total labor force continues to stand at more than 3.33 million, and the state's 64.3 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 62.9 percent.
Private sector employment has grown by more than 26,800 over the year, and has increased by 2,000 over the previous month, primarily due to gains in the Private Educational and Health Services (3,600) and the Manufacturing (1,000) sectors. Gains were partially offset by losses in the Construction (-700) and the Transportation, Trade and Utilities (-600) sectors. Total private employment stands at 2,688,300 and is 11,400 above the November 2016 peak.
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