Connecticut saw an increase in job openings during the month of August, as employers continue to try to fill open positions.
Still, the labor shortage isn’t as acute as it was a year ago, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Connecticut employers reported 96,000 job openings at the end of August, up from 91,000 open jobs in July, BLS data shows.Â
A year earlier, in August 2022, Connecticut employers reported 116,000 job openings, BLS data shows.Â
Nationally, there were 9.6 million jobs open in the United States at the end of August, down from 8.9 million open jobs in July, BLS data shows. In August 2022, the U.S. had 10.2 million open jobs.
In August, job opening rates decreased in two states, increased in 13 states, and were little changed in 35 states, BLS data shows. Â
The largest increases in job openings rates occurred in Alaska (+3.7 percentage points), Utah (+1.4 points), and Iowa (+1.0 point). The decreases occurred in New Hampshire (-0.9 point) and New Jersey (-0.7 point).Â
In addition, an estimated 23,000 Connecticut workers quit their jobs in August, BLS data shows, down from 33,000 in July and 37,000 a year ago.Â
The number of August hires in Connecticut was 63,000, up from 61,000 hires in July and down from 58,000 hires in August 2022.Â
Connecticut companies also collectively laid off 20,000 workers in August, down from 23,000 layoffs in July.
The state Department of Labor reported last week that Connecticut employers added 3,200 jobs in September, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 3.5%.
That’s the lowest jobless rate the state has recorded since July 2019, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor.Â
The U.S. unemployment rate is 3.8%.
However, the state revised downward the job gains initially recorded in August, from 2,100 to 100 new jobs. The swing in was caused by school employment data — job gains that were modeled in the August report actually occurred a few weeks later in September, according to the DOL.
