PITTSFIELD -- Unemployment in Berkshire County rose a full percentage point in January to 7.9 percent, but local officials say that increase doesn't reflect the current job market situation.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development released the report on Tuesday that showed the state gained 16,100 jobs statewide in January, a potential sign that the economy is improving.
However, Berkshire unemployment remained higher than the state average (7.4 percent) for the second straight month. It is also higher now than the national unemployment rate, which is 7.7 percent.
Berkshire unemployment was also 7.9 percent in January 2012, the highest level that it reached last year.
Al Ingegni, the president of the Berkshire Regional Employment Board said the "bump" in unemployment in the Berkshires stems mostly from seasonal layoffs following the holidays and that hiring could increase by the end of spring.
"We could be in the middle of an economic turning point, but we won't see the numbers for the next couple of months," he said.
Unemployment in the Pittsfield, North Adams and Great Barrington labor markets also increased in January. The biggest jump occurred in North Adams, where the jobless rate rose to 9.2 percent in January from 7.8 percent in December.
The figures released on Tuesday are not seasonally adjusted, which means they take into account seasonal construction jobs, and positions in the travel and
According to Ingegni, the overall job market has been relatively "flat" with employers still reluctant to increase payroll as the "demand for goods and services globally and locally isn't startling."
That could start to change as seasonal hiring shifts from winter activities to hospitality jobs for spring and summer locales and jobs in the health care industry.
Overall health care has seen the biggest increase in employment because more people are living longer and require more care.
"Health care businesses have seen an incremental increase across the board as more people from the greatest generation and the baby boomers are customers now," Ingegni said. "Running the gamut from doctor visits, housing, home-care services, hospice, utilization everywhere is much higher than it was 15 years ago."
Although Berkshire unemployment is at the same rate it was 12 months ago, Ingegni expressed surprise at the size of the county's labor force. In January 2012, there were 71,798 people eligible to work in the Berkshires, the report states. A year later that number has dropped down to 70,455, meaning 1,343 people are no longer included in the report leaving local business leaders to ask the question, "where did they go?"
Officials also released new federal data that showed Massachusetts gained more jobs in 2011 and 2012 than were previously estimated.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the state gained a combined 92,800 jobs during those years, an increase of 31,200 jobs from earlier estimates.
Joanne Goldstein, state secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, said Massachusetts still has more work to do to ensure everyone who wants a job can find one and that companies looking to hire more people can find qualified applicants.
"I think overall, Western Mass., is still being left behind in the statewide growth," Ingegni said.
He added the potential growth in Berkshire County would be "slow and incremental" and that unemployment rates in 2013 will most likely mirror last year."
To reach Josh Stilts:
jstilts@berkshireeagle.com,
or (413) 496-6243
On Twitter: @JoshStilts
At a glance
Berkshire County
unemployment rates*:
Jan. 2013: ...........7.9%
Dec. 2012:...........6.9%
Nov.:.....................6.2%
Oct.:.....................6.2%
Sept.:...................6.5%
Aug.:....................6.2%
July:......................6.5%
June:....................6.6%
May:.....................6.4%
April:....................6.5%
March:.................7.2%
Feb.:.....................7.6%
Jan.:.....................7.9%
*The numbers are not seasonally adjusted, which means they include seasonal construction jobs, and positions in the travel and tourism industry.
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