05/19/2022
CT Dept. Of Labor: Unemployment Rate Continues Its Drop, Now at 4.4%; State Has Estimated 100,000 Jobs Available
(Wethersfield, CT) – Today, Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo released the April jobs report showing a continued drop in the unemployment rate, down another 0.2% to 4.4%. Employers in the state added an estimated 1,600 jobs. March job number revisions show that 3,700 jobs were added, revised down from the estimated 4,600 reported last month. Unemployment weekly filings are at historic lows with 16,800 unemployed workers filing for benefits.
Commissioner Bartolomeo said, “This month’s economic data shows all the market indicators continue to move in the right direction—jobs are being added, unemployment is dropping, and fewer people are filing for unemployment benefits. For job seekers, the time to take advantage of this labor market is now—there are 100,000 active job openings in Connecticut across all industries. Job search assistance, training, and other resources are available free of charge through the CTDOL American Job Centers.”
CTDOL Director of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “The decline in the unemployment rate and increase in the labor force continue to be good news for the state. We still see a high employee turnover rate—people are leaving their jobs to take better jobs—good for the labor market but tough on employers. All in all, this is a solid jobs report and shows Connecticut continues to move in the right direction.”
Total employment has recovered 82.1% of the jobs lost during the COVID shutdown with the private sector more than 85% recovered. There are an estimated 100,000 active job openings in Connecticut. CTDOL urges job seekers, employers, and recruiters to register with CTHires, the state’s job bank.
TOPLINE POINTS FROM THE REPORT:
- Largest job gains in April: restaurants, hotels, arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors combined added 3,000 jobs.
- Manufacturing remains a high performer and added 1,000 jobs.
- Construction accounts for about 60,000 jobs in the state and remained strong during the pandemic, gaining 13,000 jobs over the past two years. In April, the industry gained another 400 jobs.
- State government employment is down 3,100 from pre-pandemic levels due to state employee retirements.
- Retail, in decline before the pandemic, lost 1,300 jobs in April.
- Education and Information sectors lost a combined 2,200 jobs.
Federal funding supports many CTDOL programs in whole or in part. For a complete list of projects and funding, visit our website.
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Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: CTDOL.SocialMedia@ct.gov | http://www.ct.gov/dol