Health, Education Grow Work Force

— purred by growth in the education and health services fields, the region’s total employment increased in July while the unemployment rate fell.

The area’s work force grew 5 percent to 217,300 workers compared with July 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The local unemployment rate dropped in July to 5.9 percent from 6.2 percent a year earlier.

Northwest Arkansas was part of an improving job outlook present in 320 of 372 Metropolitan Statistical Areas that posted lower year-over-year unemployment rates last month.

The local Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Washington, Benton and Madison counties in Arkansas and McDonald County, Mo.

The state’s July unemployment rate was 7.6 percent, and the national rate was 7.7 percent. Yuma, Ariz., had the nation’s highest July rate at 34.5 percent. Bismarck, N.D., had the lowest rate at 2.5 percent.

“We are seeing growth across the board, and that’s what you want,” said Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “You don’t want one sector to carry you.”

Health, education and government jobs were areas that held steady during the economic recession that officially ran from December 2007 to June 2009, he said.

Education and health services grew to 24,900 jobs in July, up 2,000 workers, or 8.7 percent from a year earlier.

By The Numbers

July 2013 Unemployment Rates

Northwest Arkansas: 5.9

Fort Smith: 7.6

Hot Springs: 7.8

Jonesboro: 7.3

Little Rock: 6.8

Pine Bluff: 10.3

State: 7.6

Nation: 7.7

Source: Bureau Of Labor Statistics

Rick Schaeffer, communications director at Springdale Public Schools, said the district created 65 new jobs with the opening of Lakeside Junior High last week. The district hired a total of 170 new teachers this year.

Schaeffer anticipates more teachers will need to be hired this year.

“Our enrollment has gone up quite a bit since the start of the school year. We generally hire 10 to 20 additional teachers after the start of the year,” he said.

The district has about 600 more students this year over last year.

The Springdale School District has 2,400 employees and is the city’s second largest employer behind Tyson Foods.

Jessica Eldred, spokeswoman for Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, said new clinics in Bella Vista, Centerton and downtown Rogers are adding jobs.

“We are serving a lot of people, and we have a lot of growth and momentum that will continue,” she said.

Mercy is holding a job fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 in the Rogers hospital’s auditorium. Applicants can apply online and drop-in during the job far for a brief educational session about Mercy and an immediate on-site interview, Eldred said.

Openings include registered and licensed practical nurses, medical technologist and social workers.

Manufacturing was the only work area that lost jobs in July, shedding 200 workers. Harvey said the one-month slight drop is not a reason to worry.

“July tends to be a slower month, and the decrease could just be a plant shut down for maintenance,” he said.

Upcoming Events