August Job Numbers Improve for Cape and Islands

unemploymentHYANNIS – The latest job numbers are in for the Cape and Islands for the month of August and it shows continued improvement for the region and across the state.

In Barnstable County, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.4 percent, compared to 4.4 percent a year ago.

“At 3.4 percent, anybody in the workforce in August who wanted to be working should’ve been able to find a job,” said David Augustinho, Executive Director of the Cape and Islands Workforce Investment Board.

The unemployment rate in Nantucket County was 1.8 percent in August, compared to 2.4 percent a year ago and Plymouth County saw a drop to 4 percent in August 2016, compared to 5 percent in August 2015.

The statewide unemployment rate dropped from 4.7 percent last year to 3.8 in August 2016.

“I think employers are really accessing some less traditional sources of labor than they may have in the past, and by that I’m referring to maybe individuals with disabilities, maybe older workers,” said Augustinho.

Another positive trend is the number of people that are employed this year as opposed to last year.

Bristol County saw a significant increase in its employment numbers, going from just over 270,000 in August 2015 to more than 279,000 in August 2016.

Barnstable County saw an increase in the workforce as well, going from nearly 118,000 people in August 2015 to over 120,000 last month.

Plymouth County saw an uptick as well, with over 264,000 last month, up from more than 257,000 last year.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter

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