February Unemployment Ticks Up

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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana’s unemployment rate increased to 4.1 percent in February, up 0.1 percent from the previous month. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state gained 4,400 private sector jobs last month. Additionally, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show Indiana’s labor force increased by more than 7,900.
Indiana’s labor force remains at more than 3.32 million. The state’s participation rate is 64.4 percent which remains higher than the national rate of 63 percent, according to the DWD.
"Gains in Indiana’s labor force participation rate are encouraging and further growth is needed to ensure Indiana reaches its workforce potential as a state," said DWD Commissioner Steven Braun. "There are thousands of good paying jobs currently available throughout Indiana. I encourage unemployed and underemployed Hoosiers to visit their local WorkOne Career Center to learn more about training programs and job opportunities in their local community."
The highest growth sectors for Indiana in February were manufacturing and trade, transportation and utilities, though gains were offset by losses in the leisure and hospitality sector. The DWD says Indiana’s total private employment stands at 67,300 above the March 2000 peak.
Indiana unemployment rate remains below the national rate of 4.7 percent and is the lowest among the surrounding states. Kentucky has the next lowest rate at 4.9 percent.