Employment remains tight, health jobs increase

Vermont Business Magazine, Mar 01, 2000

The Department of Employment and Training has announced a seasonally adjusted state unemployment rate of 2.7 percent for December, unchanged from the revised November estimate. The comparable national rate in December was 4.1 percent, also unchanged from the prior month.

Unemployment rates for Vermont's 13 labor market areas ranged from 1.4 percent in Hartford, to 5.7 percent in Newport. Labor market area rates are not seasonally adjusted; for comparison, the unadjusted rate for Vermont was 2.5 percent.

"Service industries remained strong despite the unfavorable weather conditions for many winter recreation activities," said Steven M Gold, commissioner of the Department of Employment and Training. "The unemployment rate continued to indicate a healthy labor market with little change in recent months."

Seasonally adjusted employment jumped by 1,200 in December after the November estimate was revised downward. Service industries added fewer jobs in November than originally estimated, but still expanded at a healthy pace in December. Unusual weather may have affected some resort areas, but employment appeared to stay strong through at least the first half of the month. Most other private industries performed as expected in December with little change in employment (seasonally adjusted). Government employment increased by 400 from the prior month, and remained above its year-ago level for state and local activities.

The detailed unadjusted data on jobs grew by more than 4,000 due to the impact of the holiday season and winter recreation activities. The biggest jump occurred at resorts and lodging establishments, which added more than 3,000 jobs. Retail trade contributed more than 800 jobs as expanded shopping contributed to higher employment. The number of manufacturing jobs increased modestly, with slightly more of the gain attributable to durable goods producers. Health services also continued to expand. These advances offset traditional declines in construction employment and temporary losses at educational institutions.