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States all over the country are reporting a decline in their overall unemployment rate. This is good news for the U. S. in general as more workers are finding an opportunity to get back to work and feel confident again about their skills. What does this mean long term? It is important to look at where we’ve been and see where we might be going. Here is some important information to know about unemployment in the U.S. today.

  1. It may not be business as usual. There are many jobs that will not return after the recession that started in 2007. An initial economic indicator was situations associated with sub-prime mortgages. Many individuals were accepting high salary positions out of college and then found themselves without marketable skills after the companies closed. It is important to look at the necessary skills to succeed in today’s market.
  2. Closing the skills gap. For the last several years employers were concerned about the growing skills gap. Individuals were simply not available for these opportunities in spite of such a high unemployment rate. Over time,business analysts began to notice the common factors and more companies are now working  to close the skills gap. Fair and equitable pay rates are being reinstated for necessary roles and businesses are offering training and apprenticeships to teach capable workers the right skills.
  3. The numbers don’t lie. 2013 closed out the year with a 6.7% unemployment rate, the lowest it has been since October 2008. The highest it reached over the last 10 years was 10% in October 2009. Temporary staffing has always been an indicator of economic recovery and the industry is leading the charge once again. Experts predict that 2014 will be a banner year for temporary and contingent staffing in part due to uncertainty related to the Affordable Care Act.
  4. Industries changing in 2014. Industries such as healthcare and information technology are seeing growth right now. Manufacturing has changed significantly over the last few years and technology is playing a bigger role in industrial or warehouse jobs. Administrative support is also facing a big change as more executives are self-sufficient and handheld devices are making it easier to manage schedules and emails.

Are you looking for more answers and information about unemployment in your area? Contact Anserteam Workforce Solutions, North American Staffing Service, today to see how we can help!