Jobs report for August looks bleak

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The presidential election is just two months away, the unemployment rate still remains high but in Massachusetts it’s lower than the national average.  

The private sector had a big boost in jobs in July: the largest gain was in education and health services.

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts is 6.1 percent, more than two percent lower than the national jobless rate.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the best-paying jobs between now and 2020 will be offered to people who have technical or trade skills.

This summer, Employment Plus in Greenfield was trying to fill jobs in warehouse, manufacturing and office sectors.

Some say the attempts made by President Obama have been blocked.

Bob Gruen of Health told 22News he doesn’t think President Obama could be truly faulted. “He's trying to do as much as he can He could do more if he could get more help from the other side of the aisle,” said Gruen.

In July, more than 200,000 people were unemployed in Massachusetts. Some say more needs to be done to fix this problem.

“They should find jobs for these people that need jobs. They should bring new businesses into the state. They have companies leaving nothing coming in. It’s horrible,” said David Cardaropoli of South Deerfield.

The job reports for August will come out this Friday. Some economists predict less jobs will be added than last month.