FRANKFORT, Ky.  — Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 5.6 percent in August 2007 to 6.1 percent in September 2007, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education Cabinet. September 2006’s jobless rate was 5.7 percent.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose from 4.6 percent in August 2007 to 4.7 percent in September 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Four of the 11 major nonfarm job North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sectors reported employment increases in September 2007, while four decreased, and three were unchanged, according to OET. A decrease of 900 jobs in September 2007 brought Kentucky’s nonfarm employment to a seasonally adjusted total of 1,852,900. Since September 2006, Kentucky’s nonfarm employment has increased by 7,100.

According to the seasonally adjusted employment data, the manufacturing sector recorded 1,700 more jobs in September 2007 compared to August 2007. Compared to September 2006, jobs in the sector were down by 5,200 in September 2007.

The leisure and hospitality sector gained 900 jobs in September 2007. Since September 2006, employment in the sector has increased by 2,300 positions. The leisure and hospitality sector includes arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodations, and food services and drinking places industries.

The financial activities sector grew by 200 jobs in September 2007. This segment, which includes businesses involved in finance, insurance, real estate and property leasing or rental, has added 1,200 jobs over the past 12 months.

The state’s other services sector, which includes such establishments as repair and maintenance places, personal and laundry services, religious organizations, and civic and professional organizations, gained 200 jobs in September 2007. This area had 400 more jobs in September 2007 than in September 2006.

Kentucky’s educational and health services sector had the same number of jobs in September 2007 and August 2007. Since last September, this segment has gained 3,400 jobs. This sector includes private and nonprofit establishments that provide either education and training, or health care and social assistance to their clients.

The information sector reported the same number of positions in August 2007 and September 2007. This segment, which includes firms involved in publishing, Internet activities, and broadcasting and news syndication, had 100 more jobs in September 2007 than a year ago.
The employment figure in the natural resources and mining sector was unchanged from August 2007 to September 2007. Since September 2006, the segment has risen by 600 jobs.

Jobs in the professional and business services sector fell by 400 jobs in September 2007. This area had 3,500 more employees in September 2007 than in September 2006. The professional and business services sector includes professional, scientific and technical services, management of companies and administrative and support management, including temporary help agencies.

The construction sector had 500 fewer jobs in September 2007 than in August 2007. Since September 2006, employment in this job area has gone up by 2,400.

Kentucky’s trade, transportation and utilities sector recorded 1,200 fewer jobs in September 2007. This area includes retail and wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing businesses, and utilities, and is the largest sector in Kentucky with 378,600 employees. Since September 2006, the number of jobs in this sector has decreased by 500.   

The government sector, which includes public education, dropped 1,800 jobs in September 2007. Since September 2006, this sector has lost 1,100 jobs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly estimate of the number of employed Kentuckians for September 2007 was 1,945,230 on a seasonally adjusted basis. This figure is up 9,413 from the 1,935,817 employed in August 2007, and up 14,315 from the 1,930,915 employed in September 2006.

The monthly estimate of the number of unemployed Kentuckians for September 2007 was 125,629, up 9,849 from the 115,780 Kentuckians unemployed in August 2007, and up 9,079 from the 116,550 unemployed in September 2006.

The monthly estimate of the number of Kentuckians in the civilian labor force for September 2007 was 2,070,859. This figure is up 19,262 from the 2,051,597 recorded in August 2007, and up 23,394 from the 2,047,465 recorded for September 2006. 

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events, such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. However, because of the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Learn more about the Office of Employment and Training at www.workforce.ky.gov.

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