Workforce Report | October 26

Issue 21 | October 26, 2020

Stronger Together Spokane:

Workforce System Response to COVID-19

As of last Friday, the Spokane Workforce Council (SWC) has disbursed almost $1.2 million in rental, mortgage and utility assistance grant funds made available from the city of Spokane and Spokane County to eligible residents across our community. We have also received an additional $100,000 from the city of Spokane dedicated to helping young people with rental assistance and have begun the process to distribute those needed funds.

The economic situation for many of our workers remains the same and we are seeing slightly less new claims for unemployment as fewer people are now being laid off for the first time. However, we are seeing more people move on to the next phase of “extended benefits” as their jobs still have not returned and the economy is not yet creating new employment opportunities that they can readily transition into.

We are also closely watching another group of unemployed workers who have been receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits under the federal CARES Act passed earlier this year in March. These are people who were previously self-employed, contract, gig, and other workers – and their benefits will expire on December 26, 2020.

The SWC is reaching out to everyone currently receiving unemployment to ensure that these workers quickly access the wide array of training and reemployment resources we have available to chart a new course forward. If you or someone you know needs help getting back into the workforce, please get in touch with our staff at WorkSource Spokane or call (509) 532-3120.

We are Stronger Together Spokane.

Mark Mattke

Chief Executive Officer

Visit us online

Community Investment Dashboard

RESOURCE TRACKING DASHBOARD

Tracking the SWC's Investment in Our Community's Recovery

Labor Market Update

UNEMPLOYMENT

The unemployment rate in Spokane County decreased to 7.7% in September, down from the revised August unemployment rate of 9.1%. In addition to the total level of unemployed workers falling by over 4,000, the number of employed workers and total labor force also declined month to month.

In Spokane, there are almost 6,500 fewer people considered to be a part the labor force in September 2020 than in the same month last year. The pandemic has resulted in steep declines in the labor force participation rate nationally, with female workers most heavily affected.

September 2020 | County Unemployment Rates (not seasonally adjusted)

INITIAL CLAIMS

After a one-week spike, weekly initial claims for unemployment insurance in Spokane County decreased to 962 in the week ending October 17, down 30% from the prior week.

For the past two months, approximately 1,000 new weekly initial claims for unemployment have been observed each week, outside of the week ending October 10, which saw 1,375 initial claims.

CONTINUED CLAIMS

Continued unemployment claims are a more steady barometer of unemployment trends than the weekly initial claims totals.

We track multiple types of claims including regular claims, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims (expanded unemployment for gig, contract, and part-time work), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation claims (additional 13 weeks of unemployment).

Regular unemployment claims have been steadily decreasing for months. However, PUA claims have decreased much more slowly, and PEUC claims are increasing rapidly. PEUC claims are an indication of long term unemployed workers who have fully exhausted their 26 weeks of regular unemployment claims and are now on a 13-week emergency extension. Spokane County now has over 4,000 of these PEUC claimants.

Continued Claims in the Week Ending October 17 in Spokane County by type:

Regular Continued Claims: 7,931 (-8.8% decrease from prior week)
PUA Continued Claims: 5,716 (-0.1% decrease from prior week)
PEUC Continued Claims: 4,004 (9.1% increase from prior week)

Weekly Continued Claims by Type | Spokane County

NEW ONLINE JOB POSTINGS

Spokane County saw 4,273 new online job postings in the month of September, a 15% decrease from the August total of 5,025 new online postings.

Here is an overview of job postings for the month of September:

Weekly New Online Job Postings

Data Sources: Washington State Employment Security Dept/LMEA, Burning Glass Labor Insights

Workforce Services Update

Since moving to remote services on March 17th, our campus has served 23,999* customers and 1,733* local businesses.

Below are highlights from the past three weeks and a summary of new projects and initiatives across our campus.

*Duplicate count if they needed multiple virtual assistance appointments.

TALENT SOLUTIONS by WorkSource Spokane

The business one-stop center hosted their first Virtual Employer Showcase on October 21, starting with the promotion of the available positions at Spokane International Airport. Fifty customers attended the event via Zoom and learned more about the positions, qualifications, and benefits to help them successfully navigate the application process. The Employer Showcase has been a signature in-person event held at WorkSource Spokane, and the team has now adapted it to a virtual platform in order to connect employers and candidates remotely.

Talent Solutions consultants also successfully hosted their first sector-based focus group On October 14. The Healthcare Industry Forum placed the businesses as the focal point of conversation and provided unique insight to their industry. Thank you to all the businesses that attended.

At Talent Solutions, the success of your business is our business. Connect with a consultant for immediate assistance by calling 509.532.3186 or access additional resources at WorkSource Spokane's business section.

WORKSOURCE SPOKANE

Our one-stop career center is piloting a technology-based program that will allow customers to check out Google Chromebooks and MiFi hotspots that will provide them with the necessary equipment and internet access to continue their re-employment journey. Click here to learn more about Technology & Internet Access offered by WorkSource Spokane.

Despite myriad challenges faced by our training partners as they have transitioned to a variety of new in-class, online and hybrid courses, the team at WorkSource Spokane has helped 70 customers access training opportunities in the quarter ending September 30. Customers are excited to pursue growth in the following careers: project management, real estate, nursing assistance, dental assisting, phlebotomy, welding, and CDL driving.

Career coaches are available to assist community members in developing a training plan that will guide the next steps on their career path. Please call 509.532.3120 or visit worksourcespokane.com to get started.

NEXT GENERATION ZONE

The young adult one-stop center kicked off their rental assistance program with over 40 applications received to date. Customers have reported that the process is going well with young adults in our area feeling more hopeful about their future because of the financial relief they're receiving from the staff.

Small groups of in-person GED classes began during the week of October 12. With everyone’s attention and assistance focused on meeting the necessary safety protocols, the classroom has re-opened for young adults to receive instruction from their favorite GED instructors.

Interested students can visit the following website to request in-person instruction: https://opendoorsscheduler.as.me/

For more exciting announcements happening in real-time, don’t forget to follow the Next Generation Zone's Facebook page or visit their website at nextgenzone.org.

SPOKANE RESOURCE CENTER

Within the last three weeks, the social services one-stop center has served over 1,600 customers! The team in on track to get all the housing assistance funds received from the city into the hands of community members who need it ahead of the December 2020 deadline.

A new AmeriCorps VISTA member just began work and if focusing on developing a financial literacy curriculum that will be available online. The goal of the curriculum is to empower anyone in the community to take steps toward achieving economic self-sufficiency.

Stay tuned to additional announcements by following the Spokane Resource Center’s Facebook page and frequently visiting their website at spokaneresourcecenter.org.