Job growth slowing in Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - For the first time in three years, the state's unemployment rate has gone up.

The unemployment rate in Massachusetts went up one-tenth of a point to 6.1%, but it is still well below the national average of 8.3%

The increase in the unemployment rate comes despite the fact that Massachusetts employers added 1,600 jobs in July. The last time that the state unemployment rate rose was back in September of 2009.

The slow hiring trend reflects what is going on in the Springfield area.
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FutureWorks in Springfield has been seeing fewer job postings over the last couple months, says Konrad Rowgowski of FutureWorks Career Services.

“I would say that recently we've seen a slight slowdown in the number of job postings coming in here to FutureWorks, and I think that's reflective of some of the trends we've seen nationally as well,” Rowgowski said.

The people at FutureWorks say that despite the recent decrease, job postings are coming in. They add that it is still a very competitive market.