EVERETT — The number of available jobs fell 2 percent between the spring of 2009 and the following fall. And according to state Employment Security Department officials, that’s good news.
It’s all about the economic context, and this drop in jobs is set against a much harsher backdrop. During the same months of 2008, the number of vacant jobs dropped by 32 percent.
“Two percent is a very small drop, especially compared to last year, and possibly an indicator of job growth on the horizon,” Employment Security’s chief economist Dave Wallace said in a statement.
That means the job market might have a slightly brighter future than anticipated, according to a state report released Monday.
As of last fall, job vacancies were highest in the metropolitan parts of King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane counties, according to the report. Most of those positions were in King County, with only 7 percent stemming from Snohomish County openings.
The industries with the most available positions included health care, retail and professional and technical services.
More than 18,500 Washington employers were surveyed last fall for the latest report. At that time, Washington companies had about 32,037 openings, compared to 32,635 openings in the spring of 2009.
In the fall of 2008, there were 50,593 openings.
Read Amy Rolph’s small-business blog at www.heraldnet.com/TheStorefront. Contact her at 425-339-3029 or arolph@heraldnet.com.
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