CT Employment Gains Peak In October

Connecticut added more than 5,000 jobs in October, according to the latest figures from the state Department of Labor. As WNPR’s Harriet Jones reports, the upswing follows a large job loss in the previous month.

October’s gain of 5,300 jobs represents the largest monthly total so far this year, and Department of Labor statistician Sal diPillo says the gains were widespread.

“We added jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector, particularly retail, which added 1,800 jobs. We had job gains in business and professional services – that sector includes temporary help services, so that’s always a good sign. We added jobs to the leisure and hospitality sector and also government.”

September’s job numbers, which saw Connecticut losing 5,400 jobs caused widespread concern, but October’s gains erase almost all of that loss. Professor Ed Deak of Fairfield University says the federal government has changed the reporting requirements for state unemployment numbers, and this may be adding to the volatility.

“If it is a gain, so much the better, because we have five thousand more people working, but I have a feeling at least some of it reflects the change in the tabulation procedure.”

Connecticut’s unemployment rate remains at 9.1%, below the national rate of 9.6%.

For WNPR, I'm Harriet Jones.