| |  |
GENERAL VALLEY NEWS | |
WASH STATE POSTS FIRST JOB GAINS SINCE 2008
March 03, 2010
(OLYMPIA, WA) – It is good news for job seekers in the state. Washington’s economy picked up some steam in January, adding an estimated 12,400 jobs – the first monthly gain since November 2008.
“This is a positive sign for Washington State,” Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We have implemented several strategies to create jobs, and it’s paying off. There is more we can and should do – that’s why I continue to work with leaders at both the state and federal levels to develop additional proposals that will put people to work.”
The state’s “official” unemployment rate remained relatively flat in January, inching up to an estimated 9.3 percent from December’s revised rate of 9.2 percent. December’s rate was earlier estimated at 9.5 percent, but was revised downward after more analysis.
Unofficially the “street” number for the unemployment rate, according to some economists is 5 to 6 points higher than the official government figures, since not all categories of “unemployed” and need a job are counted. That would make the state’s figure of 9.3% more like 14.3% to around 15% or higher. And that’s for the general population. People of color have been hit disproportionately higher in the downtown and thus the numbers for that group would be considerably higher than 15%.
The largest number of seasonally adjusted job gains occurred in the following industries: retail trade, up 3,000; educational and health services, up 2,800; construction, up 2,700; leisure and hospitality, up 1,600; professional and business services, up 1,000; manufacturing, up 1,000; information, up 900; wholesale trade, up 800; and aerospace and parts manufacturing, up 600.
Industries that shed jobs in January included transportation, warehousing and utilities, down 900, and other services, down 800.
Year over year, Washington had 107,800 fewer jobs last month than in January 2009, a 3.7 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined by 3 percent over the past year.
Officially an estimated 359,500 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in January. More than 305,000 people received unemployment benefits from Washington State in January.
Unemployed workers can inquire about assessment and training opportunities that are available through their local WorkSource career centers.
Employment Security is a partner in the statewide WorkSource system, which offers a variety of employment and training services, including free help with interviewing skills, résumés, and job referrals.
Locations of local WorkSource offices are listed online at www.go2worksource.com. Assistance also is available by phone at 877-872-5627.
In addition, more than 16,000 job openings are posted on www.go2worksource.com.
| |
|
BACK TO
HOME
| |
|
