Unemployment continues to be problematic in Indiana

By Brandon Jackson

ast year was a hard year for Indiana’s economy as it dealt with the recession and all the ups and downs that came with it.

Even though the harsh realities of the recession appeared to loom at the close of the year, the start of 2011 brought new hope to an already difficult situation.

IndianaStats.edu reported last year there were 2,829,963 people who were employed in the state of Indiana. 296,090 were unemployed due to the recession and layoffs by manufacturing and construction companies.

Last year there were more than 130,000 jobs that were lost in Indiana.

Although the manufacturing and construction industries are being hit hard by unemployment, the computer technology and medical professions continue to lead the way as far as job growth. Many are choosing the medical and health profession as means to help people and for a salary increase.

“I’m in the health and insurance industry because I want to help people,” said Ryan Embry an Indiana resident who has changed jobs that offer more opportunity for growth. “The Obama administration has made major changes in the economy which has forced many to look into other professions. I’m just doing what’s best for me in the long run.”

Looking at the unemployment rate on a deeper scale definitely raises some concern, yet offers some relief for the current job situation in Indiana. The unemployment rate has been the highest in the last 25 years. Indiana dealt with a major recession in the 1980s where no major changes were seen until the early 1990s.

Indiana workers have been diligent in finding jobs by applying for 70,000 open positions that have been available in the last two years. One of the highest numbers in open jobs currently is in the office/administrative field. The fewest openings currently are in the legal profession.

Although jobs were cut during last year’s recession, there have been other positions that have managed to stay constant or increase. Private education and government jobs have seemed to weather the storm of this difficult time in the economy. The private education field has increased to just 4 percent in jobs this past year.

This is good news, even though there were some setbacks last year, which seemed to be a major factor in the loss of jobs in Indiana. People are now turning to groups such as the Helping Others Prosper Economically Program (HOPE) Team to obtain assistance with finding employment.

HOPE has been a major force in helping people find employment in the city of Indianapolis. The organization holds monthly meetings that offer a forum for individuals to get assistance with various needs related to finding employment. With numbers that are reaching close to 400,000 in unemployment, many are seeking out organizations like the H.O.P.E. team to help them find jobs.

Although things have looked grim as it relates to unemployment, the future overall does look promising.

A recent indication of things turning around with unemployment in Indiana was the recent visit of President Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden to the city of Kokomo. Kokomo has struggled in recent years by the closing of various automotive plants.

Kokomo has turned things around with unemployment dropping to 8 percent. Kokomo was just recently awarded an $89 million Recovery Act grant that allowed about 1,000 workers to retain their jobs.

Although the unemployment rate will remain around 9 percent in 2011, analysts say, things still do look promising for those who are seeking jobs in an economy that is still recovering.