March 29, 2012 - Jobless rates down in 111 counties from February 2011 to February 2012

EDITOR’S NOTE: February’s preliminary and January’s revised county unemployment rate charts are posted at http://workforce.ky.gov/Feb12charts.pdf. Acrobat Reader is required to view charts. To download Acrobat Reader, please see the end of this news release.

FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Unemployment rates fell in 111 Kentucky counties between February 2011 and February 2012, while nine county rates increased, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.  

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 6.9 percent. It was followed by Fayette County, 7.1 percent; Oldham County, 7.4 percent; Union and Webster counties, 7.7 percent each; Henderson County, 7.8 percent; Daviess County, 7.9 percent; and Franklin, Madison and Ohio counties, 8 percent each.

Fulton County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 18.3 percent. It was followed by Menifee County, 17.3 percent; Magoffin County, 16.5 percent; Jackson County, 16.3 percent; McCreary County, 15.2 percent; Bell, Clay and Wolfe counties, 14.7 percent each; Lewis County, 14.3 percent; and Leslie County, 14.2 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.

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March 15, 2012 - Jobless rates down in 114 counties from January 2011 to January 2012

EDITOR’S NOTE: January’s preliminary and December’s revised county unemployment rate charts are posted at http://workforce.ky.gov/Jan12charts.pdf. Acrobat Reader is required to view charts. To download Acrobat Reader, please see the end of this news release.

FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Unemployment rates fell in 114 Kentucky counties between January 2011 and January 2012, while five county rates increased and one stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.  

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 6.9 percent. It was followed by Webster County, 7.2 percent; Fayette County, 7.3 percent; Oldham County, 7.5 percent; Boone County, 7.7 percent; Union County, 7.8 percent; Henderson County, 7.9 percent; Madison and Shelby counties, 8 percent each; and Hopkins County, 8.1 percent.

Fulton County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 17.7 percent. It was followed by Magoffin and Menifee counties, 16.8 percent each; Jackson County, 16.1 percent; McCreary County, 14.9 percent; Wolfe County, 14.8 percent; Bell and Clay counties, 14.2 percent each; Lewis County, 14 percent; and Wayne County, 13.9 percent.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States, state and county figures.

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March 8, 2012 - Kentucky’s jobless rate drops below 9 percent in January 2012

Editor’s Note: Preliminary January and revised December labor market information are included in this release.

FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate fell below 9 percent for the first time in three years as it dropped to 8.8 percent in January 2012 from a revised 9 percent in December 2011, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

The preliminary January 2012 jobless rate was 1.1 percentage points below the 9.9 percent rate recorded for the state in January 2011. The state’s January 2012 rate is the lowest since the January 2009 rate of 8.9 percent.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate fell to 8.3 percent in January 2012 from 8.5 percent in December 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working.

In January 2012, Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,066,349, a decrease of 2,694 individuals compared to the previous month.

“For the first time since January 2009 Kentucky’s unemployment rate is below the 9 percent mark after having peaked at 10.7 percent just two years ago in January 2010,” said economist Manoj Shanker of the OET. “Overall the employment indicators are moving in the right direction. An employment gain of nearly 1,300 from the previous month and a drop in unemployment of around 4,000 easily offset the net decline in the labor force.”

Preliminary estimates show that since January 2011 the state has added about 19,600 jobs for an employment level of 1,884,484. The number of unemployed has fallen by more than 22,800 over the same period, said Shanker.

Seven of the 11 major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors reported an employment increase in January 2012, while three decreased and one stayed the same, according to OET.

 According to the seasonally adjusted employment data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics (CES) program, Kentucky’s professional and business services sector jumped by 3,700 positions in January 2012. This area includes professional, scientific and technical services; management of companies; and administrative support and waste management, including temporary help agencies. Since last January, jobs in the sector have grown by 13,100 or about 7 percent.

“The prolonged recession has made primary employers wary about the signs of recovery. Instead of expanding their core workforce these employers first contract with employment service companies. Employment for business and technical consultants, as well as temporary help agencies have surged because of this wait-and-see attitude,” said Shanker.

Construction sector jobs rose by 1,800 in January 2012. Since January 2011, employment in the construction sector has increased by 1,300 jobs.

“The unusually mild winter has caused traditional spring construction activities to move into December and January,” said Shanker.

Kentucky’s manufacturing sector gained 1,100 jobs in January 2012. Since January 2011, employment in the manufacturing sector has climbed by 5,800 positions.

Within manufacturing, employment in the durable goods industries was up by 7,300 jobs from a year ago. “The broad-based improvement in the national economy has resulted in an increase in consumer confidence and consumer spending. As a result, the demand for durable goods including automobiles has increased,” Shanker said.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector rose by 900 jobs in January 2012. This area includes retail and wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing businesses, and utilities. It is the largest sector in Kentucky with 369,100 positions. Since January 2011, the number of jobs in this sector has jumped by 5,900.

“This sector has had 18 months of continuous year-over-year growth and is just about 4 percent short of returning to its pre-recession peak of 386,900 in October 2007,” said Shanker. 

Employment in the other services sector, which includes such establishments as repair and maintenance businesses; personal and laundry services; religious organizations; and civic and professional organizations, increased by 500 positions in January 2012. This sector had 100 more positions than in January 2011.

The state’s leisure and hospitality sector gained 400 jobs in January 2012 compared to a month ago. Since January 2011, the sector has grown by 3,900 positions. The leisure and hospitality sector includes arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodations and food services, and drinking places industries.

The information sector had 200 more jobs in January 2012. This segment, which includes firms involved in publishing, Internet activities, data processing, broadcasting and news syndication, has lost 400 positions since January 2011.

Employment in the mining and logging sector remained steady from December 2011 to January 2012. The number of jobs in the sector dropped by 400 from January 2011.  

The government sector, which includes public education, public administration agencies and state-owned hospitals, recorded a decline of 100 jobs in January 2012. The sector had 4,300 fewer jobs than in January 2011.

The educational and health services sector fell by 400 jobs in January 2012. The sector has gained 4,700 jobs since January 2011. This sector includes private and nonprofit establishments that provide either education and training or health care and social assistance to their clients.

“For the second month in a row, the educational and health services sector has lost employment, which is unusual. At this point, it appears that the nursing and residential care facilities have reduced jobs,” Shanker said.

The financial activities sector decreased by 500 jobs from a month ago. This segment, which includes businesses involved in finance, insurance, real estate and property leasing or rental, had 1,900 fewer positions than in January 2011.

Civilian labor force statistics include nonmilitary workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

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Feb. 29, 2012 - Kentucky’s annual jobless rate falls to 9.5 percent in 2011

FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Kentucky’s annual unemployment rate declined to 9.5 percent in 2011 from 10.2 percent in 2010, while nonfarm employment gained 21,200 jobs, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

The U.S. annual unemployment rate fell to 8.9 percent in 2011 from 9.6 percent in 2010. 

“In 2011, the Kentucky economy clearly made strides in recovering from the recession. All three components of Kentucky’s labor force made significant shifts in the right direction: the civilian labor force expanded, employment went up and the number of unemployed declined by more than 13,000,” said Manoj Shanker, an economist with OET.

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based on surveys designed to measure trends.

Kentucky had the 12^th highest annual unemployment rate among all states and the District of Columbia in 2011. Kentucky was one of 19 states plus the District of Columbia that reported annual unemployment rates above the U.S. annual rate in 2011. 

Annual unemployment rates declined in all states with the exception of Arkansas, Mississippi and the District of Columbia from 2010 to 2011. North Dakota posted the lowest 2011 annual jobless rate in the country at 3.5 percent while Nevada had the highest annual rate at 13.5 percent.

In 2011, Kentucky’s nonfarm payroll (agriculture and self-employed jobs excluded) increased by 21,200 or 1.2 percent to 1,791,600 employees making it the highest number of nonfarm jobs in Kentucky since 2008 when Kentucky’s nonfarm employment stood at 1,851,700.

Eight of Kentucky’s 11 major nonfarm job sectors listed in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) showed employment growth in 2011, while three reported losses.

According to the annual employment data, Kentucky’s professional and business services, a sector that includes professional, scientific and technical services, management of companies, and administrative and support management, jumped by 8,300 jobs in 2011. This category also includes temporary help agencies that provide workers to other businesses on a contractual basis. In the last 10 years, the sector has surged by 29,900 jobs or nearly 19 percent.

“The job gains in support services are a good indicator of the strengthening economy. As the recovery gains momentum employment first strengthens in business support services and at temporary help agencies. Large industrial enterprises often outsource routine support activities. This allows them to evaluate employees before putting them on their payroll,” Shanker said.

The educational and health services sector gained 4,400 jobs in 2011 and has shot up by 42,300 or nearly 20 percent in the last 10 years. Within this sector, health care and social assistance industries, such as hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities and social assistance businesses, added 3,500 jobs in 2011 and have expanded by 39,100 jobs or more than 21 percent in the past 10 years. Educational services in this sector include employees at private elementary, secondary and postsecondary schools along with other establishments that provide instruction and training. While educational services added 900 jobs in 2011, these organizations have contributed an additional 3,300 jobs in the last 10 years.

Kentucky’s manufacturing sector expanded by 3,300 jobs or 1.6 percent in 2011 for a total of 212,300 positions. In the last 10 years, the manufacturing base has eroded by 27 percent with the loss of 79,200 jobs.

“This is the first time in 10 years that Kentucky’s manufacturing employment base has expanded,” Shanker said. “The durable goods subsector, especially motor vehicle parts manufacturing and machinery, was up 6.8 percent, while electrical equipment was up 4.5 percent. That accounted for most of the growth in 2011,” said Shanker.

“Kentucky’s manufacturing sector received a boost from the strong yen, which put many Japanese products out of reach for European economies. This greatly improved the export demand for auto parts and electrical equipment made in the United States,” said Shanker.

The trade, transportation and utilities sector increased by 3,700 jobs or 1 percent in 2011, and fell by 15,200 or 4 percent over the past 10 years. It is the largest Kentucky sector with a total of 364,700 jobs or one-fifth of Kentucky’s nonfarm employment. Within the sector in 2011, retail trade employment was up by 1,200 jobs, while warehousing and storage businesses rose by 1,600 jobs.

“Wholesale trade employment, which is about one-third the size of retail trade, lost 900 jobs in 2011 as a result of consolidation and the changing concept of markets. Now merchant wholesalers are losing out to regional warehousing facilities that are equipped to drop ship directly to customers,” said Shanker.

The state’s leisure and hospitality sector added 2,200 positions in 2011, and rose by 16,700 or nearly 11 percent since 2001. Within the sector are arts, entertainment and recreation, and accommodation and food services.

“Almost all of the employment gains were in the area of food services and drinking places, which include restaurants and food service caterers. In contrast to Kentucky’s 1.2 percent gain in employment in this sector in 2011, the national industry suffered a 6.4 percent decline,” said Shanker.

Other services, a sector that includes repair and maintenance; personal and laundry services; and religious, civic, and professional organizations, rose by 800 jobs or more than 1 percent in 2011. The sector has lost 4,200 jobs in the last 10 years.

The number of jobs in the mining and logging sector increased by 500 in 2011, and by 2,100 jobs since 2001. Other industries included in the sector are forestry; oil and gas extraction; and support activities for mining.

The information sector, which includes establishments involved in publishing, Internet activities, data processing, broadcasting and news syndication, gained 300 positions or a little more than 1 percent in 2011. It is down by 6,100 jobs or more than 18 percent compared to 10 years ago.

On the other side of the ledger, financial activities, a sector that includes finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing, reported 1,400 fewer positions or a decrease of 1.6 percent in 2011. In the last decade, the sector has increased by 2,100 positions.

“Finance and insurance comprise almost 80 percent of this sector and suffered the largest decline in the last year of 1.6 percent,” said Shanker.

The government sector, which includes federal, state and local employment in public education, public administration agencies and state-owned hospitals, decreased by 800 jobs or .2 percent in 2011. In the last 10 years, the sector has grown by 17,800 positions. 

Kentucky’s construction sector had 200 fewer jobs or .3 percent less in 2011. The sector has declined by 19,900 jobs or nearly 23 percent since 2001.

“The construction industry has been hard hit by the mortgage crisis, as well as the general economic recession. This was the fourth year of employment decline in Kentucky and the fifth year for the U.S. The only bright spot in construction was the 1.2 percent increase in employment for specialty trade contractors who comprise about 60 percent of the construction employment base,” Shanker said.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ estimate of the number of employed Kentuckians for 2011 was 1,870,382. This figure is up 20,944 from the 1,849,438 employed in 2010 and up 22,835 from 2001’s total level of employment at 1,847,547. 

The estimate of the number of unemployed Kentuckians for 2011 was 197,046, down 13,149 from the 210,196 unemployed in 2010 but up 94,747 from 102,300 in 2001. 

The estimate of the number of Kentuckians in the civilian labor force for 2011 was 2,067,429. This is up 7,795 from the 2,059,634 recorded in 2010 and up 117,582 persons from 1,949,847 in 2001. 

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count the number of people working.  Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

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Feb. 16, 2012 - Gov. Beshear awards first Work Ready Communities certification to three Kentucky counties

FRANKFORT, Ky.  – Governor Steve Beshear announced today that Daviess, Warren and Woodford counties have been certified as Kentucky’s first-ever Work Ready Communities, and Russell County has achieved Work Ready Community in Progress status.

The new certification program from the Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (KWIB) and the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet assures employers that a local workforce has the talent and skills necessary to staff existing jobs and to master the innovative technologies new jobs will require.

“Congratulations to these counties for becoming the first Work Ready Communities in Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “This designation shows employers that these counties have completed rigorous requirements and are a cut above other communities nationally when it comes to a skilled labor force. I encourage all Kentucky communities to strive for the Work Ready Community designation.”

Kentucky is the third state to begin certifying counties as Work Ready Communities based on the quality of their labor force. To become certified, communities must gather local support and commitment and apply for the Work Ready Community designation. Counties have to meet criteria in six areas including high school graduation rate, National Career Readiness Certificate holders, demonstrated community commitment, educational attainment, soft-skills development and digital literacy.

“Daviess, Warren and Woodford counties are role models for other communities that want to demonstrate a commitment to reaching education, workforce and economic development goals that make their communities a desirable place for businesses,” said Joseph U. Meyer, secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

“We are excited to designate Daviess, Warren and Woodford counties as Work Ready Communities and Russell County as Work Ready in Progress. We look forward to certifying many others at both levels in the future. This designation gives communities an economic advantage when companies are looking for a place to locate and it shows established Kentucky businesses that they will continue to have a strong pipeline of skilled workers in the future,” said Crystal Gibson, chair of the Kentucky Work Ready Communities Review Panel and vice president of Communications and Public Affairs at Citigroup.

Russell County was designated as a Work Ready Community in Progress because it is close to meeting the criteria to be certified. To achieve this level, a county must present a viable plan to meet all of the criteria within three years. The designation shows that a community is making strides and working with its business, education, workforce and economic development leaders to set and meet common goals that will give the county an economic edge.

Applications for the certification were reviewed by a panel appointed by the KWIB. The panel recommended certification by the board for the counties that met the criteria. The panel will meet three times a year to review applications, which can be submitted at any time.

For more information about the Work Ready Communities program, go to http://kwib.ky.gov/workreadycommunity.htm.


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Feb. 14, 2012 - Ky OET offers new employment assistance for

veterans

FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Nearly 6,000 veterans residing in Kentucky will be eligible to receive priority employment services through a new Gold Card initiative. The program is made available by the U.S. Department of Labor through Kentucky’s Office of Employment and Training (OET). The Gold Card provides unemployed post-9/11 era veterans with job search services for up to six months to help them succeed in today's job market.

Post-9/11 veterans who served on active duty and were discharged or released for other than a dishonorable discharge may be eligible for intensive individual services which may include job readiness assessment; development of an individual career plan; career guidance; labor market and skills transferability information; referral to job openings and registered apprenticeship opportunities; information about training providers, information about financial assistance for training; and  individual assistance of an employment specialist.

Veterans may apply for a Gold Card online at http://www.dol.gov/vets/goldcard.html or they may visit a local Kentucky Career Center to request Gold Card assistance. To find the nearest Kentucky Career Center, go to http://www.oet.ky.gov/office/office.asp or call (502) 564-7456.

This initiative complements current programs that support veterans throughout the Commonwealth. Last year, Gov. Steve Beshear signed legislation that gives hiring preference to military veterans applying for jobs in state government.

OET, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, helps individuals prepare for, secure and maintain employment; assists employers in locating and selecting the best qualified workers for their job openings; and provides income maintenance to ease the financial burden on individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. For more information, visit www.oet.ky.gov.

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