State unemployment up
More people also entered the work force in October
(York Daily Record, November 23, 2004)

By Sharon Smith, York Daily Record/Sunday News

Halloween wasn't the only thing scary about October. For many Pennsylvania residents, career prospects also were a little frightening.

The number of unemployed Pennsylvanians rose by 10,000 in October from the previous month, according to figures released Monday by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

The state unemployment rate now stands at 5.5 percent.

At the same time, more people entered the work force in October. The total number of people working or looking for work in Pennsylvania grew by 4,000 in October.

Those new workers could be college students entering the work force for the first time. They also could be people who lost their jobs, gave up and are now trying to find work again, said Barry Ciccocioppo, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

Some of the biggest job losses in October were seen in the manufacturing sector. About 1,400 manufacturing jobs we! re lost last month, Ciccocioppo said. Construction was the only goods-producing industry that saw any growth. About 800 construction jobs were gained in October.

The service sector also saw growth, with 6,800 jobs added last month.

The unstable manufacturing employment numbers prompted Labor & Industry Secretary Stephen Schmerin to ask the federal government to do something about unfair trade practices that are affecting manufacturing.

"Across the state and nation, manufacturers are investing in technology improvements that allow them to better compete in the global market, but in some cases their ultimate success or failure hinges on the willingness of the federal government to address unfair trade tariffs and barriers," Schmerin said in a written statement.

The numbers come as little surprise to Leroy Keeney, director of special programs at York College. One of Keeney's duties is to help people who have lost their jobs retrain for other careers.

That program, a partnership with the state, was born out of NAFTA, Keeney said. About four or five people are currently participating in the program. About three of those people had worked in industrial or manufacturing jobs, he said.

One woman, with whom Keeney is working, had worked as a warehouse supervisor. She is now training to become a medical support staff worker.

"She wanted to try something different in the medical field," Keeney said.

It's that sort of flexibility that should make it easier for Keeney's student to find another job.

"The most successful people who do find employment are optimistic," said Ann Gdovin-Hake, president and chief executive officer of Gdovin Personnel in Springettsbury Township. "So many people pigeonhole themselves. If they've been downsized, they've got to be a little more open-minded."

The medical field is hot right now, Gdovin-Hake said. Her office places people in medical support staff positions.

Still, she cautioned, the field is not for everyone. People who go into that sector need to be caring. They should have a desire to help other people.

"If you're not that," she said. "My best advice is don't go into (that) just because people say it's booming."

People should do their homework to find the job that suits them, she said. Going to the York County Chamber of Commerce to do a little research is a good place to start.

"Be open-minded," she said. "Do as much research as you can."