HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut's unemployment rate dropped to an estimated 7.3% in July from June's revised 7.7% rate, the State Department of Labor announced Thursday.
Also in July, the state added about 9,400 jobs. With that, Connecticut has regained 67% of the jobs lost during the height of the pandemic in March and April of last year, department officials said.
According to Economist Patrick Flaherty, the director of the Labor Department's Office of Research, some industries that were hit the hardest during the pandemic have now recovered over 70% of the jobs lost amid the lockdown, such as Retail Trade and Accommodation and Food Services.
"Jobs are up nearly 30,000 since December while the unemployment rate has fallen 1.2% points in just five months," Flaherty said.
Currently, Connecticut has a three-month average unemployment rate below 8%, labor officials said.
That is anticipated to trigger off the federal High Extended Benefits program which provides additional weeks of unemployment benefits for claimants, officials explained.
"The economic recovery we are seeing is faster than usual because the public health crisis recovery is well underway," Flaherty said.
Interim Commission Danté Bartolomeo agreed, noting that with vaccinations continuing, childcare capacity increasing and students returning to school, many people are entering the job market.
Some workers are finding higher-paying jobs while some are making major career changes, Bartolomeo said. With the end of federal programs approaching on September 4, he said the timing works well.
Officials note that July marks the seventh consecutive month of job gains in Connecticut and the largest monthly gain this year.
"We have work ahead of us, but this is good progress," Flaherty said.
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