Labor market snapshot: Northwest Washington WDA Northwest Workforce Council Board meeting September 13, 2017 Anneliese Vance-Sherman, Ph.D., Workforce Information & Technology Services Notes: For the purposes of this presentation, Dark Blue will always represent Washington State, Orange will represent either King County or Seattle MD depending on the slide. This rule may be changed if there is a decision to represent both geographies on a slide at any given time. For now, the rule of thumb is that Seattle MD data will only be used when it is necessary to use seasonally adjusted estimates, or for looking at data for which county-level information is not available.

Unemployment and Labor Force CTC notes Consider omitting the slides detailing sex, age, and education – but do have notes ready to discuss. This could be good for flexibility in the presentation.

Northwest snapshot: July 2017 labor force Updated 9/12/17 Source: Employment Security Department/WITS; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS and Unemployment Insurance data warehouse

Northwest Washington has relatively low unemployment rates Updated to July 2017 Source: Employment Security Department/LMPA; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS

Industry employment overview

Government and HealthCare are the two largest industries in Whatcom County

Whatcom County employment recovery has been similar to the state

Government and retail trade employed the most in Skagit County.

Skagit County

Island County employment is concentrated in services

Island County’s recovery is just beginning

San Juan County’s employment is oriented toward tourism

San Juan County has had little recovery

Poverty and labor force participation in Northwest WDA

Thank you Anneliese Vance-Sherman, Ph.D. Regional Labor Economist avancesherman@esd.wa.gov 425-258-6315 Esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo