CT’s unemployment rate rose in June despite job growth

The state added 16,400 jobs in June, according to preliminary estimates released Thursday.

“The employment weakness in May (-4,000) and the relative strength in June (7,900) may indicate a shift or a different seasonal transition to the summer build-up this year”, state labor officials said in a statement.

Andy Condon, the director of the department’s Office of Research, says the swing in growth from May to June mirrors national trends for the period.

Looking at a month by month comparison the number of first time claims stayed fairly flat with 17 more claims filed in June when compared with May – or 342 claims versus 325 respectively.

Private sector employment increased by roughly 1,000 jobs but government employment dropped by 1,500 for a net loss of 500 jobs in June.

Unemployment ticked up to 5.8 percent in June, from 5.7 percent in May.

The construction and mining super-sector recorded the largest loss, dropping 800 jobs. “In June, our employers created 11,400 jobs, hired more people and laid off fewer workers”. Over the year, Education and Health Services gained 23,700 (+3.1%) jobs.

The report indicates that “some of the job gains reflect the resolution of a temporary labor dispute in the Information sector”. Over the year, Professional, Scientific and Business Services added 13,600 (+2.5%) jobs. The industry has declined by 2,900 positions from a year ago. This is the largest sector in Kentucky with almost 400,000 jobs accounting for one-fifth of all nonfarm employment.

For the first half of 2016, MA added 48,100 jobs, according to preliminary estimates.

Construction added 1,700 jobs, and financial services increased by 1,300. This sector includes arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services.

In addition, he said he has found that companies fill open jobs with candidates who are already employed or recent college graduates, leaving behind many unemployed people who sometimes get frustrated and drop out of the labor force.

The state added 96,900 new jobs from June 2015 to June 2016, not seasonally adjusted. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.