(Wethersfield) – Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo today released an economic update in lieu of the monthly labor situation report, which is not available due to the federal government shutdown. Additionally, the agency reminds job seekers that Connecticut employers are hiring and have approximately 80,000 jobs available. Employment services, job search resources, and career counseling are available at the American Job Centers for job seekers at all career levels.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “With around 80,000 jobs available in Connecticut, the Labor Department urges job seekers to use the resources available to them through the American Job Centers. Every month, CTDOL hosts multiple job fairs in locations across the state—these are a great opportunity for job seekers to speak directly to employers and avoid any roadblocks posed by AI and other screening systems.”
CTDOL Director of Research and economist Patrick Flaherty said, “Due to the federal shutdown, CTDOL does not have the standard September unemployment rate information, job numbers, labor force participation changes, or industry data. However, information related to claims filings is state administered and available. This data is within normal range and what we expect to see this time of year.”
JOBS AND CLAIMS INFORMATION
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics usually reports on the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which identifies the number of job openings in each state. Although an updated JOLTS is not available, CTDOL continues to report on the job postings data available through Help Wanted Online (HWOL), which shows about 80,000 open jobs in Connecticut. HWOL information helps identify high demand market sectors and is used by policymakers, workforce development professionals, and analysts to determine areas of growth and identify skills needed. Healthcare, social assistance, and retail continue to be in-demand sectors and have the highest number of job openings. Historically, HWOL and JOLTS open job numbers track within few thousand of each other.
• Unemployment claims data is stable and normal for this time of year. Connecticut has about 26,000 weekly filers. ReEmployCT, the state’s unemployment system, is available 24 hours per day, excluding updates and service windows. The CTDOL Consumer Contact Center representatives are available to assist claimants with any questions.
• Federal unemployment claims are within normal range; 450 federal claims have been filed since January. Connecticut has approximately 19,000 federal workers, primarily in veterans’ services and the Postal Service.
Job seekers at all career levels are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their local American Job Center (AJC) for employment assistance. AJCs provide free resume and cover letter writing help, work with job seekers to improve interview and presentation skills, and offer job training and skill-building opportunities for people looking at new careers. Job fairs are listed on the CTDOL website and updated frequently. Over the next several weeks, CTDOL has job fairs scheduled in Guilford, Bridgeport, and Cromwell as well as a virtual hiring event for Coca-Cola.
CTDOL’s Business Engagement Unit assists employers with recruitment initiatives including job fairs. Business Services Representatives can help businesses administer job postings in CTHires, the state’s job bank; coordinate in-person recruitment events; and connect to training and other skill-building resources. A full listing of services is in the 2025 Business Resource Guide.
“I join Governor Lamont and my agency colleagues in urging national leaders to address the federal budget issues and get the government re-opened quickly. The federal shutdown hinders CTDOL’s ability to offer good, data-backed economic analysis to our workforce partners, educators, and policymakers,” said Commissioner Bartolomeo.
The August labor situation report and Economic Digest can be found on the CTDOL website.
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Federal funding supports many CTDOL programs in whole or in part. For a list of programs and their funding streams, please visit the federal funding page.
For Immediate Release: October 20, 2025