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Michigan’s October jobs report shows slight bump

More companies are finding it difficult to hire skilled employees, pressuring employers to rethink their hiring strategies.
Wilfredo Lee
/
AP
More companies are finding it difficult to hire skilled employees, pressuring employers to rethink their hiring strategies.

New numbers show employment in Michigan increased slightly in Michigan last month. That data was released on Wednesday by the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

The September jobless rate is four-point-six percent.

The leisure and hospitality sectors showed the most job gains on a seasonally adjusted basis. Manufacturing edged up slightly, while education and health services showed a slight decline. Bruce Weaver, a state labor specialist, says employment remains far below pre-pandemic levels.

“So the labor force is down largely due to the impact of the pandemic over the year, but it has risen now for two consecutive months.”

Weaver says that’s not enough to tell if it’s a trend, but it is good news.