The state labor report for October is filled with good news and bad news.
The good news for the state of Kansas is that unemployment is dropping rather than rising. The bad news is state officials are still unhappy with the current level of unemployment.
Across the state, the unemployment rate dropped to 6.4 percent, an improvement from September, which had a 6.8 percent unemployment rate. However, October 2008 was more than 2 percent better, with a 4.3 percent unemployment rate.
The labor report further indicates modest job gains compared to September in eight out of 11 major industries in the state, notably in government, education and health services. Education and health services further showed these gains despite overall economic losses.
However, most major industries also showed year-over-year losses, including 25,500 jobs lost in manufacturing (13.6 percent decrease), 13,700 jobs lost in professional and business services (9.2 percent decrease), and 8,500 jobs lost in trade, transportation and utilities (3.2 percent decrease).
Further bad news is that 22,815 people filed initial claims for unemployment benefits in October, up from 17,501 initial claims in September and 17,296 in October 2008.
“Kansas continued to experience a weak labor market in October,” said Inayat Noormohmad, Kansas Department of Labor economist. “We have seen limited over-the-month growth, however, over-the-year job losses remain significant. While we’re seeing improvements in some economic indicators, we know recovery in the job markets remains uncertain for the near future.”
The state did see a rise in the number of overall jobs, increasing 11,700 jobs. Continued unemployment claims also fell by 16,458, roughly 10 percent, to 163,744.
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.
