According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is down to its lowest in 10 years.

The new unemployment rate numbers in Louisiana show a 4.5% decrease as of February 2018. This is the lowest rate since 2008. Governor John Bel Edwards mentions in a recent statement following the report, that workforce development plays a huge role in the new numbers. 

The Leisure and Hospitality industry saw the most gains for seasonally adjusted jobs by 6,200 for the year. In the Metropolitan Statistical Area, Lafayette lost the most number of jobs. 700 were lost since January of 2018. Organizations like Smile Community Action Agency assessed the number of clients struggling to obtain something steady. Specialist created job readiness training courses to help individuals put their best foot forward while on the job-hunt.

 “Even though employment rate right now is down 4.5% in Louisiana, to some people that might not be a high number, but for us- seeing the number of individuals that walk through our doors on a daily basis and their unemployed that’s a lot to us,” said Jaime Gabriel, the Employee Benefits Specialist. “So, we just thought that interview technique class, this resume ready class will definitely be something that can help our citizens,” she added.
 

This is the first of many job training and readiness courses SMILE has scheduled for the year. It will take place this Saturday, April 21st at 501 St. John Street. To register, call their main office at 337-234-3272.