KC Workforce.com

Your source for timely labor-market data in Kansas City

The Regional Workforce Intelligence Network of Greater Kansas City

2011 ends on a positive note with December data

A much lower employment rate and substantial increases in employment provided a positive ending to the region's 2011 labor-market story. December’s unemployment rate was 7.3 percent — still high, but much better than our 9.7 percent rate at the start of the year. Employment levels also surged toward the end of the year, now standing at 961,572. One year ago the unemployment level stood at 934,484. The number of unemployed dropped to the lowest level since December 2008, at 76,237. Business confidence reflects the market uptick as the Business Outlook Index climbed to 69.44 in January 2012. February saw a slight decline, to 67.92, but confidence remains high.

Not all news was positive, however. The labor force remains stubbornly stagnant. The current labor force stands at 1,037,809 — 15,900 more than a year ago. This increase merely allows the labor force to grow at the same pace as the population. Growth will have to be higher than this to employ the thousands of discouraged workers who have left the labor force in recent years.

For more year-end analysis we invite you to download two new reports from our sister site, KCEconomy.com. The 2011 Kansas City Area Labor Market Data Year in Review provides more detail about which industries are leading the way in job creation. Job Postings vs. Unemployed identifies gaps in the available labor force and the types of jobs that employers are most actively looking to hire.

Launched in June, the Busines Outlook Index is based on a relatively small sample size. In order to produce a more accurate index, RWIN asks you to please take a moment to promote the survey. Encourage businesses you work with to participate in the short monthly survey by signing up. Participating businesses will receive a monthly reminder when the online survey is open, as well as the full results in the Monthly Workforce Indicators newsletter. RWIN's goal is to have more than 100 businesses participating every month. This will produce results that better represent the region’s business confidence.

The Business Outlook Index is featured each month in the Monthly Workforce Indicators newsletter. View the latest issue of the newsletter.