State Unemployment Rate Stays Put
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe state’s unemployment rate remains at its lowest level since 2001. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says, despite a loss of 2,200 private sector jobs in January, the rate remained at 4 percent. The DWD also says U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show the labor force increased by 7,162, compared to the previous month.
DWD Commissioner Steven Braun says "while Indiana’s unemployment rate is a positive indicator for the state’s workforce, it also represents a significant challenge for Hoosier employers in identifying and hiring qualified employees. To this end, DWD is engaging Hoosier employers to inform our state’s workforce training and education efforts so that programs and courses are aligned with employer demand and producing pipelines of skilled employees."
Sectors experiencing the largest gains include construction, which added 6,100 jobs, and financial activities, which added 1,300. Trade, transportation and utilities lost the most of any sector, shedding 6,400. The leisure and hospitality sector and the professional and business services sector lost 3,400 jobs combined.
The DWD was total private employment is now 58,400 above the peak in March 2000. Labor force participation in Indiana is 64.2 percent, which is higher than the 62.9 percent national average. The February report is scheduled to be released March 24.