Wisconsin lost 6,200 private sector jobs in August, but the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2 percent. Labor force participation was also largely unchanged.
The job loss was just the second negative month of the year and was not outside the margin of error, but the report released by the state Department of Workforce Development also showed July’s 5,000 job gain was revised down to a gain of 2,000.
Workforce Development secretary Ray Allen said the unemployment rate remained at its lowest point in 15 years and the labor force participation is in the top 10 in the country.
“We also know employers continue to say they can’t find enough skilled workers to fill open positions, which means we need to redouble our focus on finding and training the talent needed to help employers fill those open positions. Employers that have confidence in a robust talent pool in Wisconsin will have more confidence expanding and adding jobs in Wisconsin,” Allen said.
DWD touted preliminary figures showing the state gained 41,100 non-farm jobs in the last 12 months, including 34,300 in the private sector.
Government jobs were one of the few bright spots on the August report with 3,300 jobs added. A gain of 5,700 jobs at the local level was offset by a loss of 2,600 at the state level.
The state’s goods producing industries were particularly hard hit during the month, with a loss of 6,200 jobs, including 2,500 in durable goods manufacturing and 2,000 in nondurable goods.
Read more economic data reports on the BizTracker page.
