State officials say Indiana set all-time highs in total labor force (3,379,290) and total number of employed (3,226,385) as the state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate dipped to 4.5 percent in the month of August.
The state’s labor force, a measure of Hoosiers employed or seeking employment, has increased 78,756 – with 77,113 finding employment – since the start of the year and by nearly 200,000 since January 2013.
“Indiana’s employment and labor force sit at record highs and its labor force participation rate outpaces the nation by nearly three percent, however, significant gains are still achievable to reach our workforce potential as a state,” said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD).“As we move forward, it remains essential for DWD, WorkOne and community partners to continue all efforts to locate and train those who are not actively participating in Indiana’s workforce.”
Commissioner Braun said that private sector employment increased by 5,600 jobs in August and stands at 37,100 above the March 2000 peak, which is the 14th-consecutive month above that peak.
