August Report Shows Positive Oregon Job Growth

Thursday, September 18, 2014

David Cath, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Gov. John Kitzhaber. Photo Credit: OregonDOT via Compfight cc

The Oregon Employment Department released its monthly labor market report this week, noting strong growth in several sectors, including wood products, machinery and food.

Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 2,900 in August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Gov. John Kitzhaber released a statement in response to the labor market report, saying it encourages Oregonians to return to the labor market.

“Our efforts to boost growth in industries like manufacturing and wood products is producing the kind of family-wage jobs that grow a healthy economy,” said Kitzhaber.

“We need to double our efforts to ensure that Oregon is making smart investments in Oregon’s economy — jumpstarting workforce training and school-to-career programs, improving our transportation infrastructure, and finding innovative ways to create opportunities in our natural resource industries,” said Kitzhaber.

The state report showed that manufacturing continues its four-year expansion, with nearly 19,000 manufacturing jobs being added since 2009.

As a nation, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 142,000 compared with an average monthly gain of 212,000 over the prior 12 months. The unemployment rate was little changed at 6.1 percent, according to the BLS.

Overall, Oregon has added 127,300 jobs since its recessionary low.

Banner Photo Credit: 드림포유 via Compfight cc