Area Unemployment Down Nearly 1 Percent

The area's unemployment rate in May dropped nearly 1 percent over last year, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Tuesday.

Northwest Arkansas' unemployment in May was 4.9 percent, down from 5.8 percent in May 2013.

By The Numbers (w/logo)

May Unemployment Rates

w Northwest Arkansas: 4.9 percent

w Little Rock: 5.8 percent

w Jonesboro: 5.8 percent

w Fort Smith: 6.3 percent

w Hot Springs: 6.4 percent

w Pine Bluff: 8.4 percent

w State: 6.3 percent

w Nation: 6.1

Source: Bureau Of Labor Statistics

The rate is for the metropolitan statistical area that includes Washington, Benton and Madison counties in Arkansas and McDonald County, Mo.

One industry fueling growth in the past decade is health care and social assistance. Employment in the field grew by nearly 27 percent in 10 years.

"Employment and health care have fairly consistently grown," said Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Arkansas.

Deck warned to exercise caution when looking at those numbers.

"The uncertainty around the implementation of the health care law means that may not continue," Deck said.

Fayetteville's Washington Regional Medical Center announced Monday it was eliminating 27 positions and Mercy Northwest Arkansas in Rogers earlier said it was cutting five jobs. Hospital administrators blame the Affordable Care Act for the cutbacks.

Optimism for the health industry permeated a Schmieding Center job fair Friday in Springdale.

Rebecca Mascorro, 52, went through a monthlong training program at the center and is studying for her certified nursing assistant exam.

"I've heard of people my age going back to school and becoming RNs and people using the CNA training to lead them in that direction," Mascorro said. "Whatever the future holds ... it's looking pretty bright."

Mascorro was out of work for a year before enrolling. She'd worked for 10 years in medical billing and coding, both in the field and as an instructor at NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville.

"I didn't feel fulfilled in that line of work: without that human touch, without providing direct care to patients," Mascorro said. "And I know a lot of people enjoy that -- it pays really well -- but it wasn't a good fit for me."

Friday she was looking for a job at the fair.

This was the Schmieding Center's second job fair, said Dianne Bufford, the Center's outreach manager. She said she would like to hold a job fair annually to "meet the market's huge demand for in-home caregivers and direct-care workers."

BrightStar Care, a national company helping people stay in their homes longer, was one of 15 vendors at the fair.

Jami Vance, a human resources employee for BrightStar, said the company is competitive in finding the best caregivers in the business and ensuring they have the best benefits.

"We actually call around, sometimes monthly, to other home care agencies to see what they offer. 'How much do you pay your caregivers? Do you offer any benefits?'" Vance said.

She said the market for home caregivers is growing.

"We are constantly looking for new aides," Vance said. "The turnover rate is very high."

NW News on 07/02/2014

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