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Explore our coverage of government and politics.

Unemployment Steady, Labor Force Still Shrinking

The Vermont Department of Labor says the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.7 percent in November. It was the third consecutive month in which the rate remained unchanged.

The civilian labor force declined by 1,100 workers from month-to-month to 344,100. This is the fourth straight month the figure has dropped, and it represents the smallest labor force since August, 2002.

The seasonally adjusted November data indicates an additional 2,900 jobs were available in Vermont, compared to the revised October figures. The vast majority of the jobs were in leisure and hospitality.

Declining unemployment, a smaller labor force and rising job numbers can make it difficult for employers to fill positions.

“Overall, we continue to see a significant number of job opportunities across nearly all employment sectors in Vermont, “ said Labor Commissioner Annie Noonan in a press release.

“The Labor Department is working with training and education providers to help develop more short-term training programs designed to match the job-skills needed for current and predicted vacancies,” said Noonan.
 

Steve has been with VPR since 1994, first serving as host of VPR’s public affairs program and then as a reporter, based in Central Vermont. Many VPR listeners recognize Steve for his special reports from Iran, providing a glimpse of this country that is usually hidden from the rest of the world. Prior to working with VPR, Steve served as program director for WNCS for 17 years, and also worked as news director for WCVR in Randolph. A graduate of Northern Arizona University, Steve also worked for stations in Phoenix and Tucson before moving to Vermont in 1972. Steve has been honored multiple times with national and regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for his VPR reporting, including a 2011 win for best documentary for his report, Afghanistan's Other War.
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