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More jobseekers returning to job market

OLYMPIA – Washington’s unemployment rate rose slightly this month to 6.0 percent, despite an estimated gain of 5,600 jobs in October, according to preliminary and seasonally adjusted labor statistics released by economists with the state Employment Security Department today. 

State labor economist Paul Turek says the increase in the unemployment rate is not necessarily bad news because it is directly related to an increase in the state’s labor force, which rose by 12,200 in October.

“These numbers demonstrate increased confidence by job seekers entering or re-entering the marketplace,” Turek said. “Job growth continues to gain momentum—with the state adding roughly 7,000 jobs a month—but for this month, the increase in the number of new job seekers entering into the  labor market’s civilian workforce was greater than the number of new jobs added. That explains the  increase in the unemployment rate.”

During the one-year period ending in October, the department estimates that employers added nearly 82,600 jobs statewide. This includes a gain of 69,900 private-sector and 12,700 government jobs.

Month over month, nonfarm, seasonally adjusted employment rose by 5,600 with the private sector adding 6,200 and the public sector losing 600 from September 2014 to October 2014.

Industry sectors with the largest employment gains in October were leisure and hospitality, up 2,700 jobs; retail trade, up 2,200; manufacturing up 1,500 and other services up 1,400.  Jobs in transportation, warehousing and utilities grew by 600 and the financial activities industry added 600 jobs as well. construction added 500 jobs. The professional and business services sector and the mining and logging sector both increased by 100 jobs each.

The biggest loss in October was in wholesale trade, which shed an estimated 1,700 jobs. Other sectors reporting losses included education and health services, down 1,000; information, down 800 and government, down 600.

An estimated 208,900 people (seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in October, and 58,335 of them received unemployment benefits.

September’s preliminary estimated loss of 600 jobs was revised to a gain of 1,600 jobs.

Unemployed workers can inquire about employment opportunities that are available through their local WorkSource career centers.

WorkSource is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that deliver a wide array 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.

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Web links

• Monthly employment report
• Labor-market information website 
• State and local trends and projections
• Three-month comparisons, county-to-county (select “Current estimates” under “Not seasonally adjusted” on the right)
• Historical data (select “Historical estimates” under “Seasonally adjusted” on the right)
• Employment Security website

Broadcast version

Washington’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 6.0 percent, despite an estimated gain of 5,600 jobs in October, according to preliminary and seasonally adjusted labor statistics released by economists with the state Employment Security Department today. 

State labor economist Paul Turek says the increase in the unemployment rate is not necessarily bad news because it is directly related to an increase in the state’s labor force, which rose by 12,200 in October.

These numbers demonstrate increased confidence by job seekers entering or re-entering the marketplace. Job growth continues to gain momentum—with the state adding roughly 7,000 jobs a month—but for this month, the increase in the labor market was greater than the number of new jobs added. That explains the slight increase in the unemployment rate.

For people who are looking for work, nearly 48-thousand job openings in Washington are posted on-line at go2worksource-dot-com.

Free employment assistance also is available at local WorkSource offices.

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