Most Coachella Valley cities posted a third consecutive monthly rise in their unemployment rates during the month of August, although experts said this week that the coming start of prime visitor season is likely to change the pattern.
The August valley numbers reflected a rise in the Riverside County unemployment rate, from 6.7 percent in July to 6.8 percent in August, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. Rates were unchanged from July’s figures in Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage.
The total number of unemployed people in the valley was 9,570, representing about 17 percent of Riverside County’s total of 55,800. That percentage was on par with previous months.
California as a whole posted a 6.6 percent unemployment rate in August, down from a revised 6.7 percent in July and the 6.7 percent seen in August 2002, the EDD reported. The state, however, came in higher than the national 6.1 percent unemployment rate for August.
Jobless rates: Valley jobless rates in August ranged from 3 percent in Indian Wells to 19.8 percent in Mecca.
While August valley figures reflected a usual off-season lull, employment experts said activity seen so far in September suggests things are on the upswing, as companies prepare to serve seasonal tourists and returning part-time residents.
"We’re seeing more placements at country clubs, of course, because their prime season is coming up, but we’re seeing increases across the board," said Alicia Wilkins, recruiting manager for Power Staffing Solutions in Rancho Mirage.
Wilkins said her firm began seeing increases immediately after Labor Day in the number of job seekers putting in applications, as well as businesses seeking full- and part-time support staff. The placement firm deals mostly with office clerical personnel, as well as higher-level positions in areas such as accounting and marketing.
Job expo: At a job expo held earlier this week in Palm Springs, county and EDD representatives said the valley’s hospitality industry is currently seeing the most activity in job placement, as it gears up for the start of the prime tourist season.
The experts said a strong local housing market continues to bolster the job market overall, as new construction and an influx of new residents create demand for support workers.
The EDD’s monthly survey of employers found that payroll employment in California fell by 1,900 jobs over the previous month, for a total of 14,441,600. Compared with August 2002, nonfarm payroll employment was down by 37,700 jobs, for a decline of 0.3 percent.
Five job categories -- including natural resources and mining, professional and business services, health services and hospitality -- added a total of 16,700 jobs during the month.
Six other categories -- including construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation, utilities and government -- accounted for a total decline of 18,600 jobs.
Year-to-year figures showed leisure and hospitality posting the strongest employment growth, up by 35,900 jobs. Manufacturing saw the largest decline, down 55,900 jobs.
Statewide, agricultural employment stood at 366,300 jobs in August, a decline of 1,400 over the month and down 73,900 from August 2002, the EDD reported.
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