Calhoun County August 2022
The Trend: Calhoun County employment increased from Q3 2021 to Q4 2021 by 636 jobs. Between April and May, the unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, and employment-to-population ratio all increased. This is likely a sign that some individuals are reentering the labor force and finding work, while others are still looking. Job postings were lower in May than in April because of a methodology change in posting data collection by Labor Insight, from Burning Glass Technologies, a database of job-posting information. Retail sales associate was the most in-demand position.
Branch County August 2022
The Trend: Branch County employment grew from Q3 2021 to Q4 2021, experiencing an increase of 151 jobs. Between April and May, the unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, and employment-to- population ratio all increased. This is likely a sign that some individuals are reentering the labor force and finding work, while others are still looking. Job postings were lower in May than in April because of a methodology change in posting data collection by Labor Insight from Burning Glass Technologies, a database of job-posting information. Tractor-trailer truck driver was the most in-demand position.
NHQI August 2022
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index reaches yet another record high in August 2022, and women’s hiring gains ground on men’s
NHQI December 2022
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index eases off record high—barely—in December 2022, but is still powered by hiring in metro areas
NHQI January 2023
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index slips 0.2 percent in January 2023, with goods sector beginning to fall faster than service sector
NHQI November 2022
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index high streak hits 7th consecutive month in November 2022, as hiring of older workers becomes more selective
NHQI January 2023
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index halts slide with 0.2 percent increase in January 2024, even as hiring volume falls and the goods sector weakens
St. Joseph County July 2021
The Trend: St. Joseph County lost more than 150 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between March and April, the unemployment rate, employment-to-population ratio, and labor force participation rate all decreased. This is likely a sign that individuals are discouraged from finding work and are leaving the labor force. Even so, there are positive indications that there may now be more job opportunities available: job postings were higher in April than in March, with slightly more postings in Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services, and Transportation and Warehousing.
Kalamazoo County July 2021
The Trend: Kalamazoo County continues to rebound, having gained more than 2,000 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. From March to April, the unemployment rate, employment-to-population ratio, and labor force participation rate all decreased. This is likely a sign that individuals are discouraged from finding work and are leaving the labor force. Even so, there are positive indications that there may now be more job opportunities available: job postings were higher in April than in March, with more postings in Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, and Accommodation and Food Services.
Calhoun County July 2021
The Trend: Calhoun County continues to show strong growth, gaining more than 100 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between March and April, the unemployment rate, employment-to-population ratio, and labor force participation rate all decreased. This is likely a sign that individuals are discouraged from finding work and are leaving the labor force. Even so, there are positive indications that there may now be more job opportunities available: job postings were higher in April than in March, with more postings in Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services, and Transportation and Warehousing.
Branch County July 2021
The Trend: Branch County continues to show some small growth, with an increase of 50 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between March and April, the unemployment rate decreased, while the labor force participation rate did not change and the employment-to-population ratio increased. This indicates that individuals are likely finding employment. Job postings were higher in April than in March, with more postings in Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services, and Transportation and Warehousing.
Michigan Works! Southwest Region July 2021
The Trend: The Michigan Works! Southwest Region continues to recover, having gained more than 2,000 jobs from Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Between March and April, the unemployment rate, employment-to-population ratio, and labor force participation rate all decreased. This is likely a sign that individuals are discouraged from finding work and are leaving the labor force. Even so, there are positive indications that there may now be more job opportunities available: job postings were higher in April than in March, with more postings in Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services, and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.
NHQI February 2023
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index edges up 0.1 percent in February 2023, led by South while Northeast lags behind
NHQI February 2024
Upjohn Institute New Hires Quality Index gains for second month but hiring volume drops 1.0 percent; only hires with graduate degrees spared
