Workforce Report: November 9

Issue 22 | November 9, 2020

Stronger Together Spokane:

Workforce System Response to COVID-19

Our regional job market continues to improve with an almost 37% increase in the number of new postings and reductions in the numbers of people claiming unemployment benefits. However, we are starting to see some of the normal seasonal impacts on the labor market, including fewer construction jobs as the weather turns and projects start to wind down.

Last week, the Journal of Business held its annual Workforce Summit and panelists from education and business offered insights into how our community is working together to respond to the economic crisis. They reflected that education that directly prepares people for work is more important now than it has ever been, as the skill and credential demands required for success in almost every industry have increased. They also recognized that workers returning to classrooms face new challenges such as access to technology and childcare, and the affordability of tuition.

Employers and educators are committed to partnering to meet students where they are and offer solutions that support people getting the skills and credentials they need to be successful as they return to work.

We look forward to building even stronger relationships and working together to identify and break down barriers to improve economic opportunities for everyone in our community.

We are Stronger Together Spokane.

Mark Mattke

Chief Executive Officer

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Community Investment Dashboard

RESOURCE TRACKING DASHBOARD

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

Labor Market Update

INITIAL CLAIMS

Although fluctuating from week to week, on average the level of initial claims for unemployment insurance have been continuing at the same level for several months. 1,025 new initial claims were filed in the week ending October 31, which is a 12.9% increase, or 908 additional initial claims, from the prior week.

New weekly initial claims continue to run higher than levels from this time last year, but are significantly down from the record levels of new claims observed earlier in the pandemic.

CONTINUED CLAIMS

Regular continued claims for unemployment have been steadily declining in Spokane County and now sit at 7,104 in the week ending October 31.

The most impacted industries continue to be Accommodation and Food Services (1,098 continued claims), Healthcare and Social Assistance (856), Manufacturing (685), Retail Trade (668), and Construction (630).

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) continued claims remain level with 5,619 continued claims in October. PUA claims benefit gig, contract, and part-time workers.

In the week ending October 31, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) continued claims increased to 4,223. PEUC claims benefit workers that have exhausted their regular unemployment claim. These workers are now eligible for a 13-week emergency extension of their unemployment claim.

Both PUA and PEUC were enacted by the CARES Act, and are currently set to expire on December 26.

Weekly Continued Claims by Type | Spokane County

NEW ONLINE JOB POSTINGS

October saw the largest number of new online job postings in Spokane County since the beginning of the pandemic with 5,853 new postings.

Here is an overview of the type of job postings for the month of October:

October's 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 17, our campus has served 25,167* customers and 1,830* 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

In honor of Veterans Day, the Talent Solutions team continues to work with the YesVets program by assisting the statewide YesVets team through online presentations that prepare veterans to search for employment online. Talent Solutions also assisted the YesVets program with their virtual job fair on

The business one-stop center developed a new webpage on WorkSource Spokane's local website. The Job Opportunities webpage includes the WorkSource Spokane Job Board, a link to the statewide WorkSource website's job listings, and an events calendar of upcoming virtual hiring.

If you're a business representative with employment opportunities, contact the team of business consultants by calling 509.532.3186 or email talentsolutions@esd.wa.gov to hire a veteran or have your positions added to the Job Opportunities webpage.

WORKSOURCE SPOKANE

The career one-stop center is scheduled to complete the renovations by mid-November. The updated layout and design supports the integrated approach of delivering a high-quality customer experience. Career Coaches will slowly begin to return to the office in preparation to re-open the center to customers. For the time being, services remain virtual for customers.

All staff will be invited to participate in trauma-informed training in November that will enhance their ability to provide effective career coaching by empathizing with the challenges of job searching during the pandemic.

Career coaches at WorkSource Spokane are currently assisting customers virtually. Please call 509.532.3120 or visit worksourcespokane.com to get started.

NEXT GENERATION ZONE

Two weeks into the rental assistance program, staff have provided $37,053 in rental support to young adults in the community. The demographic breakdown of the support provided to young adults:

Total Households Served: 18

61%, White
17%, Black/African American
17%, Hispanic
11%, American Indian/Alaska Native
6%, Two or more races

The classroom at the Next Generation Zone is now a GED testing center. To comply with restrictions of health and safety, one tester will be permitted into the classroom per test session with a goal of allowing up to four at a time.

Youth Employment Readiness Network board members and staff of the Next Generation Zone and Spokane Workforce Council participated in our annual volunteer event at 2^nd Harvest over two sessions. Volunteers enjoyed their time packing many Bite-To-Go kits that will be distributed to youth in the community. 2^nd Harvest supports our hungry students, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to support them in return.

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

The housing assistance provided by the specialists at the Spokane Resource Center have spent down the $1,522,000 in rental support funds awarded by the City of Spokane.

The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and CARES Act programs, both initiatives of the City of Spokane, helped the following communities maintain their housing during these difficult times:

Total households served: 616

60%, White
10%, Black/African American
0.6%, Black/African American & Native American
0.4%, Black/African American & Hispanic
6%, Hispanic
0.6%, Hispanic & Native American
6%, Native American
0.4%, Asian
7%, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
7%, Two or more races
1%, Did not disclose

Thank you to the City of Spokane for allowing the team at the Spokane Resource Center to distribute this tremendous financial support. Thanks also to the community members that have been patient and understanding throughout the process and the team of professionals in the housing program that serve with their hearts.

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