Indiana’s unemployment rate remained at 4 and a half percent as the national unemployment rate ticked up 1 tenth of a percent to 5 percent in September.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state’s labor force, a measure of Hoosiers employed or seeking employment, has increased by more than 75-thousand since January of this year while total employment has increased by 75,425 during this timeframe.
The state’s labor force has increased by nearly 200,000 since January 2013.
Workforce Development Commissioner Steve Braun says it’s been a strong year for the Hoosier workforce, as evidenced by Indiana’s low unemployment rate and private sector employment increasing by more than 10,000 in September.
Braun says there are still thousands of good-paying positions available for unemployed Hoosiers and help is available at local WorkOne career centers for anyone seeking the right skills to match in-demand jobs.
Braun also noted that private sector employment stands at 42,100 above the March 2000 peak, which is the 15th-consecutive month above that peak. He added that initial unemployment insurance claims are at the lowest point in over 30 years.
Indiana experienced across the board growth in September, included in the Private Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, Professional & Business Services, Construction, Manufacturing ) and Financial Services sectors.
The only notable loss for the month was in the Trade, Transportation & Utilities sector. Indiana has gained 41,400 private sector jobs over the year.
County by county unemployment figures will be released later today
