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.
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.
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.
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 12th 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.
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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