Unemployment

A person walks past a "Join our team today!" sign posted at a UPS store on Feb. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Job growth exceeds economists’ expectations as unemployment inches up

BY: - September 3, 2023

The labor market is stable and healthy, economists and policy experts say, although the unemployment rate ticked up in the month of August. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report released Friday showed that unemployment rose to 3.8% in August from 3.5% in July. Meanwhile the economy added 187,000 jobs, above expectations of 170,000 jobs from […]

Eric Kluver, of Terex Utilities, and Gov. Kristi Noem pose in front of a race car decorated with Noem's image and South Dakota's 605 area code on July 27, 2023, at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Noem turns workforce recruitment focus to NASCAR fans

BY: - July 27, 2023

SIOUX FALLS — Gov. Kristi Noem wants a few more NASCAR fans in South Dakota. Specifically, NASCAR fans from other states with job skills. To that end, Noem announced Thursday that the state will use a portion of the $5 million budget for the state’s “Freedom Works Here” marketing campaign to sponsor a vehicle bearing […]

Starbucks union proposal arises as state’s rate of organized labor hits historic low

BY: - July 2, 2023

If Starbucks workers in Aberdeen succeed in unionizing, they’ll achieve a rare victory in a state where the share of unionized workers has fallen to a historic low of less than 5%. Some workers at the Aberdeen location say long hours and understaffed shifts pushed them to organize.  “In the time that each of us […]

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, left, tours the Manitou Madison manufacturing plant on June 26, 2023, with plant manager Jeff Minnaert. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Leaning into pay and diversity, manufacturer expands amid workforce shortage

BY: - June 27, 2023

MADISON — A manufacturer conducting a $60 million expansion in South Dakota says it’s attacking a workforce shortage by raising pay and embracing diversity. Manitou is a manufacturer of construction equipment based out of France. It is expanding its operations in Madison and Yankton and will add about 125 jobs between the two sites. Currently, 510 […]

H2-B worker Francisco (whose last name has been withheld by request) and Janet Boyer pull a couple of tap beers at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company ahead of the tourist season in Custer. (Paul Horsted/for South Dakota Searchlight)

Volatile, costly international visa program strains SD’s tourism industry

BY: - June 8, 2023

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of two stories examining the challenges some South Dakota businesses face as they attempt to hire international workers. The second story examines challenges in the agricultural industry. — Janet Boyer estimates she spent over $40,000 arranging housing for international workers and transporting them to the Black Hills before she […]

A company advertises a help wanted sign on April 9, 2021, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

States see record low unemployment across the US

BY: - May 25, 2023

Across much of the country, the jobs market is as strong as it’s ever been, and Black women, young people and people with disabilities are among the workers benefiting, recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data show. Twenty states reported an unemployment rate under 3% in April, while 15 states saw record lows, led by […]

Gov. Kristi Noem talks about apprenticeship programs on April 25, 2023, at Howe Inc. in Sioux Falls. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Noem touts $7.9 million investment in apprenticeships as part of workforce shortage solution

BY: - April 25, 2023

SIOUX FALLS — Employers willing to build or expand apprenticeship programs in South Dakota will soon have a shot at a larger pool of state funding. During a stop Tuesday at Howe Inc., Gov. Kristi Noem announced the addition of $7.9 million in apprenticeship grants to be distributed over three years through the Start Today […]

A company advertises a help wanted sign on April 9, 2021, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Powell signals higher interest rates. Here’s why Friday’s jobs report will affect Fed’s decision.

BY: - March 9, 2023

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week that interest rate increases could be higher and come faster if Friday’s unemployment data shows the nation’s labor market isn’t cooling off. Stock indexes fell after his comments. That’s been a familiar pattern over the past year as the federal bank has tried to combat inflation.  A […]

Gov. Kristi Noem, right, talks with Tamara Carns, a teacher from North Dakota now working in Yankton, and state Sen. Jim Stalzer, R-Sioux Falls, during a bill signing March 1, 2023, at Midwestern Mechanical in Sioux Falls. (Joshua Haiar/SD Searchlight)

Business community greets new law to recognize out-of-state licenses

BY: - March 1, 2023

SIOUX FALLS – A new law to recognize out-of-state licenses for most professions in South Dakota will “do a lot of good” for the state’s economy, according to Ken Amundson, president of Midwestern Mechanical in Sioux Falls.  “There will be more tradespeople coming to the state when they don’t have the red tape to deal […]

Sioux Falls leaders bring high-schoolers to workforce event with hopes of stemming ‘brain drain’

BY: - October 26, 2022

SIOUX FALLS — High-schoolers received special focus at a day-long workforce summit Wednesday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The Sioux Falls Development Foundation hosted the WIN Summit. The event featured guest speakers and community business leaders sharing insights, and opportunities for young people to build relationships with those leaders. Approximately 70% of in-state students […]