Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped half a percentage point in September: to 11.5 percent.

At first blush, it’s good news. But as Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, a closer look reveals a more complex picture.

State employment economist, Art Ayre, says the number of people counted as out of work in Oregon dropped by about 11,000.  

But he says, that doesn’t necessarily mean they all got jobs -- it may just mean they are no longer considered unemployed.

Art Ayre: “The reasons for this larger than normal drop are not clear to us, they’re unknown to us. But they could include people dropping out of the labor force to go back to school in the fall. Or discouragement about the prospects of finding a job. Or also possible increased confidence in the economy and the reduced feeling of need to find a job.”

A close look at the number of jobs available in Oregon shows that four major industries posted losses of more than 1000 positions last month.

They include: government, trade and transportation, education and health services; and leisure.

There is positive news, however. Two major sectors, professional services and construction posted gains of more than 1000 positions.

And, says Employment Department spokesman, Tom Fuller, job centers around the state have listings for several positions.

Tom Fuller: “There are 1600 job openings for office and administrative support individuals. We’ve got nearly 900 openings for food processors. About 850 openings for people working the sales area and just about that many in farming, fishing and forestry. So even though the job picture is tough out there. There are still openings.”

Oregon currently has the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation – tied with California.