COVID-19 Disruptions Cause 13.1 Percent Job Loss in April
Alaska’s job count was down 13.1 percent in April from the same month last year, a loss of 42,200 jobs.
Tag: Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Total Wages Up 4.0 Percent in the First Half of 2019 from Prior Year
Newly released data for the first half of 2019 show total wages up $355 million from the first half of 2018, with increases in all of Alaska’s major industries and sectors. The 4.0 percent wage growth exceeded inflation, which was 2.6 percent over the period.
National Council on Compensation Insurance Projects Significant Savings for Overall Workers’ Compensation System Costs
Recent adjustments to the Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Schedule, as recommended by the Medical Services Review Committee, will reduce workers’ compensation system costs by a projected 3.7 percent.
Dunleavy Administration Announces Major Grant to Aid in Rural Youth Homelessness
Governor Michael Dunleavy and Dr. Tamika Ledbetter, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, announced a recurring two-year grant of $1.65 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for new programs to prevent and treat youth homelessness across rural Alaska.
September Jobs Up 0.6 Percent From Last Year; Unemployment Rate at 6.2 Percent
Alaska’s employment was up an estimated 0.6 percent in September, or 2,000 jobs, from September 2018. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 6.2 percent while the comparable national rate dipped to 3.5 percent.
Job Growth Seen for Three Consecutive Months
The employment increase in March was encouraging, as growth continued and was higher than January and February.
Construction Job Outlook: Cloudy
The North Slope and the Interior are carrying the brunt of Alaska’s construction projects. Overall, however, the state’s construction landscape continues to inch toward brighter pastures.