By james art BATON ROUGE, LA. – The Bayou State ranks 30th in the nation for unemployment, facing a significant shortage of skilled workers.
Positions in welding, electrical work, health care and industrial construction are critically understaffed, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
A report released on Tuesday highlighted growth in other sectors. Private education and health services added more than 10,000 jobs over the past year, while the construction industry gained 4,600 jobs.
Despite the current labor shortage, Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Suzanne Showen said demand for skilled trade jobs is expected to increase, driven by federal spending and organic growth in the state.
“We have a lower labor force participation rate among 16- to 24-year-olds than many other countries,” Schoen said. “It is important to raise awareness of the opportunities that skilled trades offer, particularly for young people entering the workforce.”
Unemployment figures for the Ark-La-Tex region show that 81,491 people are unemployed in Louisiana. Arkansas reported 45,797 people out of work, while Texas had 630,135 unemployed residents.
Among the Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area in September, seasonally adjusted data showed:
• Alexandria (62,100 jobs) added 200 jobs since August and gained 500 jobs since September 2023.
• Baton Rouge (418,300 jobs) lost 2,900 jobs since August and lost 1,000 jobs since September 2023.
• Hammond (49,600 jobs) lost 100 jobs since August but gained 200 jobs since September 2023.
• Houma (85,800 jobs) lost 200 jobs since August but gained 1,000 jobs since September 2023.
• Lafayette (205,000 jobs) lost 600 jobs since August but gained 400 jobs since September 2023.
• Lake Charles (97,000 jobs) was unchanged from August but gained 2,400 jobs from September 2023.
• Monroe (76,800 jobs) lost 100 jobs since August and lost 1,400 jobs since September 2023.
• New Orleans (564,800 jobs) has lost 400 jobs since August, but shows no change from September 2023.
• Shreveport (176,900 jobs) lost 200 jobs since August and lost 600 jobs since September 2023.