Pennsylvania’s nonfarm jobs have surged past pre-pandemic levels, and a new report called it a full recovery for the state’s labor market.
The report from the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association said the state has added 1.2 million positions in less than four years.
Rebecca O’Shea, director of workforce initiatives for the association, said the numbers reveal strength in the fields of trade, transportation, and utilities. She noted some employers are still struggling to fill their open positions.
“Pennsylvania’s latest statistics show for every six unemployed Pennsylvanians, there are 10 job openings,” O’Shea reported. “Frankly, we do not have enough unemployed individuals to fill the open positions, and this impacts decision-making by unemployed workers, employers, and existing workers.”
The report showed hospitality, leisure, and government were the industries lagging. It also broke down statewide data so people will better understand where the jobs are geographically, to help those who may be looking for work.
The report revealed that since April 2020, Pennsylvania’s job growth has been only a little slower than U.S. job growth overall. O’Shea pointed out that the combination of growth and a tight labor market should drive further investment in workforce development so more people can connect with good job opportunities.
“Having that system there to support this job growth is essential,” O’Shea contended. “With unemployment rates so low, it’s important to ‘skill up’ workers, to ensure that they are getting into the workforce and achieving those family-sustaining wages.”
The report found construction and manufacturing have just about returned to pre-pandemic employment levels.
