September jobless numbers expected to improve

Just wait till next month.

That’s become the mantra of sorts for those who keep track of employment trends, especially as we look and hope for signs of economic recovery.

But they really mean it this time.

August unemployment numbers crept up a bit as people who had given up their job hunt were encouraged to start looking again. Duluth’s seasonally

unadjusted unemployment rate increased from 7.4 percent in July to 7.5 percent in August, mirroring a statewide rise from 6.8 percent to 6.9 percent.

It’s a seasonal increase as summer employment ends and before the fall hiring season begins, observers say.

“A lot of people hire for seasonal work,” said Drew Digby,

regional labor market analyst for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “August is always a quirky month historically. There’s a lull in some industries, and small businesses taking time off may have an impact on things.”

Digby is looking for stronger September numbers as returning college students find jobs and boost the numbers.

“There’s still a lot of people unemployed and a lot of work left to be done,” he said. “But I didn’t think August would be a defining moment. The most interesting numbers will be the September report. If September numbers are not good, that will be a disappointment.”

We’ll soon find out.

While the national unemployment rate for September released Friday held steady at a seasonally adjusted 9.6 percent, state numbers are due out next week and local numbers are due in two weeks.

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