Tri-Parish workforce stabilizes; Jobless rates down

Image
Body

The Tri-Parish workforce nearly matched that of a year ago as unemployment rates declined in the latest report from the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
There were 68,332 people either working or searching for jobs in St. Landry, Acadia and Evangeline parishes in February, which was 95 short of the February 2017 workforce.
The workforce includes a count of those employed and seeking employment.
For much of 2017, the Tri-Parish workforce lagged behind the previous year.
In St. Landry Parish, the February workforce was 31,833, only 17 less than the February 2017 count.
In Acadia Parish, there were 23,993 people in the workforce, which was a 0.5 percent — 113 people — increase from the February 2017 count.
In Evangeline Parish, the February workforce totaled 12,506, which is off one from the February 2017 count.
The parish results released Tuesday are not adjusted for seasonal factors such as weather and holidays.
The St. Landry Parish unemployment rate in February was 5.3 percent, down from 7.2 percent a year ago in February. There were 30,152 people working in St. Landry Parish in February compared to 29,560 in February 2017. The number of people looking for jobs in February was 1,681, down from 2,290 in February 2017.
The Acadia Parish unemployment rate in February was 4.6 percent, down from 6.4 percent in February 2017. There 22,898 people working and 1,095 people searching for a job in February. In February 2017, there were 22,354 people working and 1,526 people in job searches.
In Evangeline Parish, the February unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, down from 6.1 percent a year ago. There were 11,914 people working and 592 people looking for jobs in February. A year ago in February, there were 11,738 people working and 769 people looking for jobs.
Louisiana’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4 percent in February. From January, the figure is down 0.4 percentage points. Compared to this time last year, this figure is down 1.4 percent.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent to 4.5 percent. Compared to February 2017, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is down 1.2 percent. This decline represents the second largest over-the-year drop in the nation.
Not-seasonally adjusted data are useful for comparing trends in parishes and metropolitan statistical areas, and for comparing them to the state. Notably, every metropolitan statistical area (MSA) unemployment rate declined in February, with Hammond and Alexandria declining 0.6 percentage points over the month. The Houma MSA unemployment rate declined 0.5 percentage points from January. From February 2017, Houma’s MSA is down 2.1 percent.
From January, not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 14,800 jobs. Not seasonally adjusted private sector employment gained 1,100 jobs from February 2017. From January, private sector employment increased by 10,400 jobs. Private sector employment is defined as nonfarm employment minus government jobs. Although not seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment decreased by 1,600 jobs from February 2017, these losses follow national trends with losses primarily in retail trade. The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) continues to provide training and placement services in growth sectors such as health care.
When looking at the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals, Louisiana saw an increase of 62,782 from February 2017. From January, the number of not seasonally adjusted employed individuals increased by 24,780. The number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals saw a decrease of 26,721 when comparing figures from February 2017. From January, the number of not seasonally adjusted unemployed individuals decreased by 8,181.
The not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, or the number of individuals who are employed in addition to those looking for work, increased by 36,061 from February 2017. From January, the not seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 16,599.
LWC Executive Director Ava Dejoie said, “There are thousands of jobs available within our online Helping Individuals Reach Employment (HiRE) system.”
Dejoie added, “I encourage everyone who is looking for a job to visit our HiRE website and apply, or visit one of the local offices located throughout the state. We will continue to work with employers and industry partners to ensure their talent needs are met. We also continue to invest in re-training and skill development of every job-seeker. Our job is not finished until every one of those jobs are filled, and every Louisiana resident is able to contribute to the state economy in a family-sustaining career.”
All nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) saw a decrease from January and from February 2017. Not-seasonally adjusted February unemployment rates for the nine MSAs are as follows:
— Alexandria: 4.4 percent, down from 5 percent in January and down from 6.1 percent in February 2017.
— Baton Rouge: 3.5 percent, down from 3.9 percent in January and down from 4.6 percent in February 2017.
— Hammond: 4.3 percent, down from 4.9 percent in January and down from 5.8 percent in February 2017.
— Houma: 4.1 percent, down from 4.6 percent in January and down from 6.2 percent in February 2017.
— Lafayette: 4.2 percent, down from 4.6 percent in January and down from 6.2 percent in February 2017.
— Lake Charles: 3.1 percent, down from 3.5 percent in January and down from 4.2 percent in February 2017.
— Monroe: 4.3 percent, down from 4.7 percent in January and down from 5.7 percent in February 2017.
— New Orleans: 3.8 percent, down from 4.1 percent in January and down from 4.8 percent in February 2017.
— Shreveport: 4.3 percent, down from 4.6 percent in January and down from 5.7 percent in February 2017.