Alaska's Unemployment Rate (Ketchikan: home, school, camper)

[Metlakatla]

Just in case you're thinking of moving up on spec., Alaska just made the highest unemployment rate in the country.

Alaska begins 2017 with highest unemployment rate in the nation | KTVA 11

According to the latest numbers from the state, Alaska has about 7,000 fewer jobs compared to a year ago.

[AKStafford]

We're #1!! We're #1!! We're #1!! We're #1!!

[Metlakatla]

I've become convinced this is because many of the residents are simply unemployable. In my area, any kind of job requiring more than rudimentary skills has to be filled by an outsider. At a meeting in Ketchikan among area business people, one of the major identified challenges was the local labor force.

[happycrow]

As an over-educated-but-rudimentary-ish skills guy (I mean, I can run a desk/office, but any trained monkey can do that), that's why the wife and I decided not to try a move up even though we adore the climate in the SE.

[Arktikos]

OK, so unskilled workers are attracted to Alaska, but we don't want them.

Skilled workers are needed here, but they don't want us.

[Sockeye66]

The Bureau of Labor Statistics show Alaska at a UI rate of 6.9 back in '06. It did rise to 9% during the peak and was actually lower than the US average. It's been back in the 6-7 range since 2012.

Higher now than average, lower than average during the recession. Does this show Alaska has a more consistent UI rate no matter what the lower 48 is seeing?

[kodiakbearcountry]

My husband and I have accepted jobs and are moving up. I will admit the economy has me anxious but this move has been years in the planning and it's to move back home to be near my family. My Dad is in his 80s and I need to get back. But even having good jobs, I'm worried and hoping that things start to turn around soon. Our positions are skilled positions so there is that. :/ Sad thing is we are leaving a state that is booming.

[arleigh]

i've toyed with going but not sure i can live on SS there. price of every thing is much higher .
When your my age , you really don't want to think about having to start working again ,although i must admit i miss it .
I like turning a wrench and working on equipment . or welding and fabrication , but face it , handling the heavy steel is different in a more primitive environment.
When I was young it was no big deal , but now it is.
How to live in that environment is no big trick, I can deal with cold, I prefer the snow and living in a small camper is no great challenge either , done it several times.
I even like the small town environment and being part of the village ,it's life as it should be .

[Lunabell]

At the end of the school year, my husband is officially unemployed. Due to budget cuts, he just got the official notice that his position has been eliminated. We are give in up and heading back to the Lower 48. School counselors tend to be expendable and we don't want him jumping from temporary situation to temporary situation, waiting for the economy to improve. I will miss this place. Don't know if I will be back but I hope so.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Sockeye66

..
Higher now than average, lower than average during the recession. Does this show Alaska has a more consistent UI rate no matter what the lower 48 is seeing?

I think so. The market crash of 2007-08 didn't seem to affect us so much as it did the lower 48.