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News LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 9.9 PERCENT By Amy Riggin/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF The Pine Bluff area’s unemployment rate in July soared to its highest this year at 9.9 percent, according to data made available Tuesday by the state Department of Workforce Services. The rate of unemployed workers rose from 9.5 percent in June, and was 2.4 percent higher than July 2008. Rate exceeds state, national Seasonally adjusted numbers, which account for certain factors like schools closing down for summer, are not compiled at the local level. When comparing unadjusted rates, the Pine Bluff MSA exceeded the state level by 2.2 percent. The nation’s unadjusted rate was slightly lower at 9.7 percent. When seasonally adjusted, the state’s unemployment rate in July was 7.4 percent and the national rate was 9.4 percent. The Pine Bluff MSA had a labor force in July of 44,500, with 4,400 unemployed. William Campbell, manager of the local DWS office, said he’s seen the largest impact in the manufacturing sector. “A lot of the people that come in filing unemployment are laid off temporarily but then we have a lot that are just not working period,” he said. He added that others have lost jobs “across the board.” David Norton, the Arkansas Workforce Center’s Southeast Arkansas area director, also said most of the local layoffs have been in manufacturing. “But recently we have not had any major layoffs,” he said, adding, “Small businesses also have been impacted by the economy.” Projected trends DWS projects industry growth in its Southeast Arkansas Workforce Investment Area — including Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties — from 2008 to 2010 of 114 jobs in all sectors. The increase reflects an estimated employment of 90,808 jobs. However, a 4 percent decrease in manufacturing to 16,223 jobs is projected, along with a 5 percent decrease in professional and business services to 3,104 jobs. A 2 percent gain to 20,968 jobs is projected in education and health services; a 3 percent gain in government jobs excluding education and health (9,988); a 1 percent gain in trade, transportation and utilities (13,905); and a 3 percent increase in leisure and hospitality (4,785). ‘It’s tough’ Campbell said in the current environment people may have to lower their standards to find employment. “A lot of people don’t like taking part-time jobs or temporary jobs,” he said. “But if you find something part-time or temporary, I suggest you take it. You gotta do what you gotta do right now — it’s tough.” Lower pay is another obstacle. “For a lot of people, the salaries that they were making they’re not going to make at the lower-level jobs — they’re not going to go in starting out at the top,” Campbell said. He is seeing more people adjusting their skill set to find work. “I’m getting a lot of requests from people trying to get back in school,” Campbell said. “They’re seeing now that their education level may need to be increased.” Norton said the medical and education fields have retained a fairly high demand. “If you want a job, you may not start working at $25 an hour but there are jobs out there,” he said. All 10 Workforce Center offices in Southeast Arkansas have seen a higher traffic count. Job-hunting help In Jefferson County alone, the employment rate rose from 9.9 percent in June to 10.3 percent in July. The county’s rate in July 2008 was 7.6 percent In the city of Pine Bluff, 12 percent were jobless compared to 11.5 percent in June and 8.9 percent in July 2008. Unemployment and job services are available at the Pine Bluff DWS office, 1001 S. Tennessee St. For more information, call 534-1920. There are two Arkansas Workforce Center locations in Pine Bluff, one at 3135 W. 28th Ave. in Regency Square and another at 2003 N. University, Suite 2. The centers provide assistance in the form of training and/or job placement to those seeking employment. For more information, call one of the centers at 575-9797 (Regency Square) or 534-7700 (North University). More statistics on unemployment in Arkansas are available at www.discoverarkansas.net. |
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