Decline in job postings across Western Mass

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The jobs report for August showed a slow down in hiring and a lower unemployment rate.

The Labor Department reported that 96,000 jobs were added last month and the unemployment rate dipped to 8-point-one percent.

At Futureworks Career Center in Springfield , employers have been hesitant to add positions.

"For the last three months we've seen the number of openings decline every month so that's certainly an issue of concern.  People are finding that the hourly wages aren't what they would like," said Kevin Lynn, the Executive Director at the employment center.

Even though the unemployment rate went down, it wasn't encouraging news, because many of the people out of work simply stopped searching for a job.

"It always could be better.  One of the difficulties has been over the last four years that there has been growth in the private sector.  The difficulty has been there are corresponding layoffs in the public sector totaling 600,000," said Congressman Richard Neal (D-Springfield).

Congressman Neal says the unemployment rate is highest among those without a high school diploma, at 12-percent, compared to 4-percent for those with a college degree.

Kevin Lynn, at Futureworks, says people who are unemployed should focus on bringing their skills up to date and continue pursuing potential employers.