Missoula job scene improving despite COVID-19

MISSOULA — As we continue to navigate the pandemic, some have gotten back on their feet and others are still unemployed and looking for work.

So, where does that leave Missoula in terms of unemployment? According to Job Service Missoula, the numbers are looking up.

“There are counties in Montana that still have unemployment rates in the double digits. Missoula’s not, the state is not,” said manager of Job Service Missoula, Kellyann Deniger.

July’s unemployment numbers show Missoula County at 6.3%, that’s only a tenth of a percent less than the month prior, but still an improvement.

“Since April, we've had over 42,000 jobs that have been added to the Montana economy,” said Deniger, “Those are good numbers, those are numbers that are trending upward.”

She said these numbers paint a picture of Missoula’s resilience.

“They're at least telling us that we are going in the right direction, that even though COVID is still there, we're learning to work around it, and we're doing what we can to get people back to work, and to help these businesses thrive,” said Deniger.

But we can’t forget those who are still on the job hunt and those who now have to find new work that will sustain their family in a time of crisis. That’s where Job Service MIssoula comes into play.

“I particularly would like to talk about the programs that we have that could assist with funding. Those are vital for a lot of folks that may think they can’t afford to go to school," Deniger said.

Deniger said construction, tech, and healthcare are some examples of industries that have taken off and are hiring like crazy right now.

By simply calling Job Service Missoula, you might qualify for funding to pursue a program in one of those areas.

“We can walk them through it, we can find out their situation, and then it's our job to figure out where to fit them in, so we can hook them up with the right program,” said Deniger.

The resources are there, sometimes it’s just a matter of reaching out.

“We always say that people don't know what they don't know, and we have a lot of resources that are available here.”

On Sept. 9, Job Service Missoula will host its first virtual job fair. Employers from a variety of industries will be represented. To learn more, call Job Service Missoula at 406-728-7060 before Sept. 9.