Job postings at the state Department of Labor’s CareerLink Alle-Kiski remain high, with continued hiring expected through the holidays.

As of Thursday, the Alle-­ Kiski job center, which covers 28 ZIP codes in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, had 480 job openings posted and active, according to Phil Grove, an account representative at PA CareerLink Alle-Kiski.

“New job postings to our office for worksites in the A-K Valley remain high since the summer,” Grove said of local job opportunities.

“This trend, along with a continued sense of urgency shown by local employers in on-boarding new hires as quickly as possible, seems to indicate that the typical lull in hiring during the holidays might not happen this year,” he said.

The state’s unemployment rate continues to drop while there are job gains in many sectors during the past year, according to the latest Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry report in October.

The state unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percentage point during the month to 6.2% in September.

Overall this year, total non-farm jobs were up 131,000 with gains in eight of the 11 supersectors. Leisure and hospitality had the largest 12-month gain, adding back 46,100 jobs. All supersectors remained below their pre-pandemic, February 2020 job levels as of September 2021.

Small businesses continue to have a tough time filling positions, Grove said.

Allegheny Steel Distributors of Indiana Township, a metals processor specializing in steel sheets and coils, is looking for five entry-level, full-time employees.

“It’s been tough over the last year because we are competing with every other business for workers,” said John M. Inglis, vice president of purchasing and operations for Allegheny Steel Distributors.

In response to the labor market, the company is increasing its employment packages to reach more prospective employees, he said.

“It’s usually a bit of a challenge to find employees because it’s old-school work, working in a warehouse plant,” Inglis said. “However, it’s a good permanent long-term job for somebody who is getting started. They can put money in a 401(k) and get benefits.”

There are many longtime employees there, including Inglis.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the steel distributor has been enjoying good business conditions and will train new workers who don’t have experience, Inglis said.

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