Spokane is the third largest labor market in a state where there are currently 1.5 jobs for every job seeker.

Ajsa Suljic is one of six regional economists serving local labor markets in Washington. Regional economists support private businesses at no cost and can help employers incorporate the best information when making important business decisions. 

“Spokane lost 11.9% of jobs in April 2022, but through March of 2022 Spokane has regained all of those jobs lost and added an additional 16% to its numbers (this is excluding agricultural activities). The majority of industries are in full recovery and growth mode,” said Suljic.

“Our goal in the labor market information division is to measure labor market activity, working conditions, price changes and productivity in the economy and around the state and nation and to support private and public decision-making,” said Suljic, “If you’re opening a business, want to expand your service market or gain more customers, if you’re hiring employees or being asked to raise wages, labor market information can help you make those decisions much easier than without the information.”

To get in touch with your regional economic, view labor market statistics and occupation and wage data, visit the Labor Market Information webpage at esd.wa.gov/labormarketinf

What we learned about SharedWork:

In these uncertain times, employers need to carefully guard their payroll costs. Leigh Rowley showed us how businesses can do that using ESD’s SharedWork program.

SharedWork is a no-cost, employer opt-in program that supplements workers’ paychecks when hours are cut back, using unemployment insurance as a bridge to avoid layoffs and quits during uncertain times. 

“This program allows you to reduce payroll costs and keep morale up. Employers with more than two employees are encouraged to enroll and renew year after year,” said Rowley, “The program takes little time to manage, and it’s best to be prepared.”

To learn more about SharedWork, watch this two minute animated video or visit their website at sharedworkwa.com.

The employer resource webinar series is open to any business at no cost and is hosted in partnership with the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, Greater Spokane Inc., West Plains Chamber of Commerce and the SharedWork program.