FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, August22, 2002

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY July 2002
NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT statistics
AND LABOR FORCE/UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

This report is produced by the Economic Research and Analysis division of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission as a free service to the Oklahoma community. All of the information contained within is available free of charge at the OESC website (www.oesc.state.ok.us) and through publications developed by the Economic Research and Analysis division.

Please be aware that unless otherwise noted, all statistics contained within are preliminary statistics and have not been adjusted for seasonal factors. All data is collected under strict guidelines provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The mission of the OESC Economic Research and Analysis division is to develop, refine and manage a comprehensive system of state and local labor market information. Any individual and/or organization needing to track the economic health of the State of Oklahoma and its local areas may access this information. This customer base includes, but is not limited to, job seekers, employers, economic development entities, students, occupational and educational planners, labor organizations and all levels of government. Labor market information can be used for economic, education, labor force and fiscal planning, as well as serving as a valuable tool for marketing, research and individual career planning.

SMALL GAINS IN GOODS PRODUCING INDUSTRIES ERASED BY DROP IN SERVICE PRODUCTION FOR JULY

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Despite gains in the GOODS PRODUCING industries, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in Oklahoma declined by 13,600 jobs in July 2002, bringing the employment level down to 1,580,900. Compared to this time last year, employment in Oklahoma has grown by 10,100 jobs (+0.7 percent). The GOODS PRODUCING industries gained 1,500 jobs (+0.5 percent) over the month, while the SERVICE PRODUCING industries more than offset the gain with a loss of 15,100 jobs (-1.2 percent) statewide. Other highlights include:

·      Construction led the way for the GOODS PRODUCING industries. This division increased by 600 jobs (+0.9 percent) in July. Compared to a year ago, employment has gained 2.7 percent, bringing 1,800 jobs into this major division.

·      Mining improved by 300 jobs (+0.9 percent) over the month. A total of 800 jobs (+2.5 percent) have been added in this major division compared to last year at this time.

·      Manufacturing rose by 0.3 percent (+600 jobs) over the month due to gains in both Durable Goods (+500 jobs) and Non-durable Goods (+100 jobs). A majority of the employment growth was reported in Fabricated Metal. Over the year, this major division has contracted by 1.3 percent (-2,400 jobs).

·      Finance, Insurance and Real Estate remained unchanged at 76,400 jobs for July. Employment has expanded by 1,600 jobs (+2.1 percent) over the year, mainly the result of gains in Insurance Carriers.

·      Services declined by 900 jobs (-0.2 percent) in July 2002 after finishing the past three months well above previous years’ averages. Job losses were mainly reported in Business Services, Personal Services and Educational Services. At the same time, Health Services showed significant growth in July. Over the year, this major division has grown by 3,600 jobs (+0.8 percent).

·      Trade lost 500 jobs (-0.1 percent) in July 2002. Declines in Retail Trade (-600 jobs) offset increases in Wholesale Trade (+100 jobs). The majority of job losses were reported in General Merchandise and Food Stores. Compared to July 2001, a total of 2,200 jobs (+0.6 percent) have been created in this major division.

·      Transportation and Public Utilities decreased by 300 jobs (-0.4 percent) compared to the previous month as a result of losses in Communications and Utilities. Over the year, employment in this division has dropped by 2,300 jobs  (-2.7 percent).

Click here to view the Oklahoma NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

OKLAHOMA CITY

OKC EXPERIENCES SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT DROP FOR SECOND MONTH DUE TO SERVICE JOB DEC LINE

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

Seasonal declines in the SERVICE PRODUCING industries led TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area to a decrease of 1.3 percent (7,200 jobs) for the month of July. This brings the TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT to 540,200 people employed. Compared to last year at this time, employment has gained 0.8 percent (+4,200 jobs). Other highlights for July 2002 include:

·       Manufacturing had a gain of 100 jobs (+0.2 percent) over the month due to increased employment in Nondurable Goods.  This division has dropped 3,000 jobs (-5.8 percent) over the past year as a result of large declines in Durable Goods.

·      Construction reported a small seasonal growth of 100 jobs (+0.4 percent) in July 2002. This gain brings the division to a grand total of 1,400 jobs gained (+5.9 percent) over the year.

·       Mining displayed no change in employment over the month.  Since this time last year, employment in this division has risen by 200 jobs (+2.7 percent).

·      Transportation and Public Utilities dropped slightly in July, losing 100 jobs (-0.4 percent).  This major division has reported a reduction of 700 jobs (-2.7 percent) since the same month of last year.

·      Trade lost 100 jobs (-0.1 percent) over the month due to a slight decline in Retail Trade.  Over the past year, 500 jobs (+0.4 percent) have been added, putting the current employment level for this division at 127,900.

·      Finance, Insurance and Real Estate recorded an employment level of 30,200 for a slight over the month loss of 100 jobs (-0.3 percent).  Over the year, employment in this division has improved by 500 jobs (+1.7 percent).

·      Employment in Services was reported at 178,500, down 400 jobs from June 2002.  Over the year, employment has declined by 4,500 jobs (-2.6 percent).

·      Continued seasonal declines in State and Local Government resulted in a downward shift in TOTAL GOVERNMENT of 6,700 jobs (-6.4 percent) in July 2002. Over the year, employment in this major industry division has improved by 800 jobs (+0.8 percent).

  Click here to view the Oklahoma City NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

TULSA

SEASONAL DROPS IN EDUCATION BRING TULSA EMPLOYMENT DOWN FOR THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH 

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area continued to decrease in July mainly due to seasonal drops in Public and Private Educational Services during this summer vacation period. A loss of 1,200 employees (-0.3 percent) for the Tulsa MSA was reported for July 2002. Employment for the area has settled at 407,700, showing a gain of 1,500 employees over the year. Other highlights include:

·        The Manufacturing major industry division reported a growth of 300 jobs from June 2002 due to increased employment in Fabricated Metal Products and Electronic Equipment. Nondurable Goods held same level as last month. Manufacturing stood at 57,100 jobs in July 2002, indicating an increase of 600 employees over the year.

·        Construction added 300 jobs (+1.4 percent) from June to finish the month at 21,700. This signifies an over the year gain of 1,200 workers.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate recorded a marginal employment gain of 100 employees (+0.5 percent) over the month. Total employment in FIRE was reported at  22,300 in July 2002, the same as one year ago.

·        Services major industry division held steady at 133,800 from June 2002, representing an addition of 900 employees (+0.7 percent) over the year. Employment in this division has shown monthly increases since February 2002.

·        Mining held steady from June 2002 with 5,700 jobs, but has shown a loss of 400 workers over the year.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities dropped 200 employees in July 2002 and reported an  employment level of 35,300. Over the past year, 200 jobs (+0.6 percent) have been added to this major industry division.

·        Trade experienced a decrease of 400 workers (-0.4 percent) over the month, mostly due to the Retail Trade subdivision. However, Wholesale Trade reported a growth of 200 employees from June and has retained the same employment level over the year. Total employment in Trade was 89,600 in July, a drop of -2.5 percent from July 2001.

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT recorded a seasonal loss of 1,300 workers (-3.3 percent) in July 2002, finishing the month at 42,200. Employment losses occurred only in Local Government. Federal Government employment remained the same as June 2002.

Click here to view the Tulsa NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

LAWTON

LAWTON EMPLOYMENT DROPS SLIGHTLY; ONLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUBDIVISI ON SHOWS GAINS

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

In July 2002, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Lawton Metropolitan Statistical Area dropped to 38,900 with the loss of 700 workers (-1.8 percent) from June. Only Transportation and Public Utilities gained employment from last month. Compared to July 2001, 400 workers (+1.0 percent) have been added to the TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT of the area. Other highlights include:

·        Transportation and Public Utilities reported 1,700 workers in Lawton as the division added 100 jobs (+6.3 percent) over the month. Employment gains were seen in Telecommunications. TPU ended the month at the same employment level as July 2001.

·        In Manufacturing, a marginal gain of 100 employees (+2.9 percent) over the month in Nondurable Goods was offset by a loss of  100 workers (-25.0 percent) in Durable Goods. This keeps Manufacturing at 3,800, the same level as one month ago and one year ago.

·        Mining and Construction were constant over the month and over the year at 100 and 1,600 respectively.

·        Trade held steady from June, remaining at 8,600. This is the same level of employment as July 2001.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate has gained 200 workers (+10.5 percent) over the year while holding at 2,100, the same as in June 2002.

·        Jobs in Services totaled 10,100 in July 2002, a decrease of 100 from June and an increase of 100 from July 2001.

Click here to view the Lawton NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

ENID

ENID AREA EMPLOYMENT DROPS SLIGHTLY DESPITE GAIN IN SERVICES

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

In July 2002, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Enid Metropolitan Statistical Area dropped by 0.4 percent (100 jobs) in the month of July to 23,800 despite small gains in Local Government. Total employment in the area has grown by 100 jobs (0.4 percent) since this time last year. Other highlights include:

·      The Services division recorded Enid’s only gain of the month by adding 100 new jobs (+1.5 percent). At 6,800 jobs, it is employing the same amount of people as last year at this time.

·      Trade remained constant for July 2002. The Retail Trade subdivision gained 100 jobs (2.0 percent) over the year while Wholesale Trade lost 100 jobs (-7.7 percent) when compared to July 2001.

·      Manufacturing remained constant for the month as neither Durable Goods nor Nondurable Goods changed in July 2002. Nondurable Goods employment has lost 100 jobs (-6.3 percent) since July 2001.

·      Mining and Construction also remained constant for the month. Mining has declined by 100 jobs (-14.3 percent) when compared to July 2001.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE, TOTAL EMPLOYMENT & UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ALL DROP IN JULY

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force lost more than 5,000 workers (-0.3 percent) in July 2002 to finish the month at 1,713,700. This is the first loss in 2002 after labor force increases in the first six months of the year. This was also the first time in ten years to see a loss of labor force for the June-July period. Despite the loss, the current labor force is still near the state’s record high which Oklahoma reached last month when it hit 1,718,900. Over the past year, the labor force has added 24,300 workers (+1.4 percent).

For labor market information, news releases, addresses of OESC’s local offices, please check OESC’s home page at 
http:// www.oesc.state.ok.us/