Pittsburgh Metro Sees Unemployment Rate Drop and Jobs Increase in June

For the long term unemployed in the Pittsburgh Metro area the June unemployment report is bittersweet.  For our area, the unemployment rate dropped from 8.6% in May to 8.3%, while adding 7,700 jobs.  The good news is this represents almost 4,000 more jobs than one year ago.

While good news for area economists, who see the Pittsburgh Metro getting better through the rest of the year, it is little help to the more than 100,000 residents who couldn't find work.  Our sense here at EmploymentGuide.com is that employers are beginning to increase their recruitment activities.

While summer is normally a slow recruitment period in good times, this summer has seen a steadily (albeit slowly) increasing number of job postings as well as inquiries toward near term recruitment plans.  Our job fair held recently at Mellon Arena attracted 40 local employers which was the most in two years.


For more details on the job numbers go to the Post Gazette and the Tribune-Review.

2010 Pittsburgh Diversity Employment Expo Video Recap

The last public event at Mellon Arena

Our Favorite Moments At Mellon Arena

The last event at Mellon arena can also be one of the most helpful. On July 13th, The EmploymentGuide.com and the The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh will host a job fair that aims to help the local community get back to an exciting time in their own lives, much like the Mellon Arena has enriched lives over its history.


As we look towards the future of Pittsburgh, today I wanted to take a look back at some of the moments that shaped our lives at Mellon Arena. To do that I asked some of our sales professionals inside the EmploymentGuide.com their favorite moments at the historical arena. Here's what they had to say!


Ed Miles started the conversation by saying his favorite moment was the...


Summer of 1975 - Almond Brothers Concert and they opened the roof to The Civic Arena for the entire concert.....WOW!!


Jack Dibrell says...


...there have been so many. I remember watching Stevie Nicks backstage just seconds before climbing the steps to go onstage for her concert, clutching and holding on for dear life the hands of her backup singers. She was petrified and paralyzed with fear, stage fright, or whatever, but of course once she started her set, she KICKED BUTT!!


Then there were the times I met ZZ Top backstage for 'meet and greets' after their concerts, trying to avoid the temptation of pulling on those long, flowing beards!


Watching summer concerts with the Arena roof FULLY OPENED, and feeling like I was in a completely different venue!


And the few times I announced the halftime entertainment at Arena truck pulls.


Watching my son between periods at a Penguins game goal tend during a 'shootout' against another area amateur hockey team.


Being at Game 7 during the 1993 playoffs against the NY Islanders and LOSING, being eliminated after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups the previous two years!


Judy Hodges chimed in:


This is sad, I have only been to the arena three times in my life , besides all the job fair's  we've held there. The first time I went there to see the Barnum Bailey Circus when my children were 5 and 7. That same winter we went to see the ice capades. Both times were very special because of my children (1978!!)


I would have loved to go to the oldies etc. but haven't yet to date. Maybe one of these days. My biggest regret is not seeing it open.


What About You?


What is your favorite moment at Mellon Area? Was it a concert, a Penguins game, a family trip or one of our Pittsburgh job fairs?!


Whatever your favorite moment, we can all say the arena holds special times for all of us and that is why we are so excited to host one last job fair at Mellon. If you want to change your own future and find a new job or career that you can tell your kids, family or future generations about, you can also say you did it at Mellon Arena.


Pre-register for the Pittsburgh Job Fair here and tell us your favorite Mellon Arena moment in the comments below.


-Greg and the Pittsburgh Team


Top image by Talke Photography

July 13th, the Last Public Event at Mellon Arena – Ever!

EmploymentGuide.com® and The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh partner to
sponsor the “2010 Pittsburgh Employment and Career Education Expo”

We all know what the first events at the new Consol Energy Center will be. We now know what the very last event at Mellon Arena will be. Appropriately hundreds of Pittsburgh area job seekers will benefit!

As the local economy begins to recover from the worst local downturn since the collapse of the steel mills, EmploymentGuide.com and The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh and have combined efforts for the sixth consecutive year to bring jobseekers together with companies who seek their talents.

On Tuesday, July 13th, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM at Mellon Arena more than 35 Pittsburgh area employers and schools, featuring career opportunities from HCR Manorcare and the all new Fairmont Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, will meet and interview hundreds of job seekers at the 2010 Pittsburgh Diversity Employment and Career Education Expo.


Attendance is expected to exceed 1,000 Pittsburgh area residents seeking a new career. Last years 3 events attracted over 4,000 total job seekers and resulted in more than 450 job offers. Job Seekers will enter through gate 10. Attendance for job seekers is free. Pre-registration is not required but if you do pre-register you will enjoy faster access at the start of the event.  Go to this link to pre-register: http://bit.ly/9iPC2I


Companies include:


Allied Waste Services - Drivers and Mechanics
TSA Airport Security
Aramark Consol Energy Center
Army National Guard
Callos Companies - Manufacturing, Office/Clerical
CCAC North Campus
Cintas - Sales, Customer Service
City of Pittsburgh
Colonial Life Insurance
Combined Insurance
Fairmont Pittsburgh - Hospitality, Restaurant
Family Resources - Healthcare
First Commonwealth Bank - Tellers and more
Geneva College
Glade Run Lutherin Services - Healthcare, Social Services
Golden Living / Mt. Lebanon - RN's, LPN's, CNA's and more
Kaplan Career Institute
Life Pittsburgh - Allied healthcare
Lifesteps, Inc. - Social Services
Mainstay Life Services - Social Services
Medco Pharmacy Services - Customer Service, Pharmacy Techs and more
HCR/Manorcare - RN's, LPN's, CNA's and more
OK Grocery Co (a division of Giant Eagle) - Warehouse workers
NCO Collection Services - Customer Service
Pennsylvania State Police
Waste Management - Drivers, Mechanics
Pittsburgh Job Corp (Center)
Pittsburgh Tech. Institute-PTI
Prudential Financial - Sales and more
Roomful Express Furniture - Retail, Warehouse, Delivery drivers
SMG Management - Customer service, Ushers, Concessions and more
Southwestern Pa CommuteInfo
Transitional Service Inc -Social Services
Universal Electric Corporation
US Army Recruiting
US Navy
Valvoline - Lube technicians and more
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Wright Automotive Group - Sales, Lot attendents and more

AND MORE!

Pittsburgh Metro Sees More Jobs But Higher Unemployment In April

The Pittsburgh Metro gained 7,300 jobs (seasonally Adjusted) in April; the highest month to month gain since 2001. At the same time, the unemployment rate increased from 8.4 to 8.5% as more job seekers entered/re-entered the job market in the improving economy.

Within the Pittsburgh MSA (metro survey area), five of the counties’ unemployment rates decreased, but the two that increased were enough to make the overall rate edge up. Unemployment rates in the MSA ranged from 7.8 percent in Butler County to 10.2 percent in Fayette County.

Goods producers in the Pittsburgh MSA totaled 143,000 jobs in April, up 5,800 from March. This was the second largest monthly increase for goods-producing industries on record, eclipsed only by a gain of 6,300 in April 1998. All three goods-producing supersectors increased, but the majority of jobs were added in construction due to warmer weather.

Month to month strength was seen across the board, but in particular, in construction, hospitality and business services. A major job index has named Pittsburgh one of the top five stable markets in the country based on the diversity of job makeup that is not relying on only one or two industries to supply a large portion of the metro’s jobs. For more details click here: http://bit.ly/b2l1G2

Over 500 Summer Jobs Available For Pittsburgh City Youths Age 14 to 21

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette;



Applications for around 555 summer youth jobs available through the city of Pittsburgh will be accepted starting today, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's office announced Tuesday.

City residents ages 14 to 21 may apply to the Pittsburgh Summer Youth Employment Program. Paid for with federal funds, the program places young people in outdoor work improving parks or vacant lots, or indoor internships with area businesses.


The jobs pay $7.25 an hour for as much as 30 hours per week, from July 6 through Aug. 13.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10132/1057425-53.stm

Forbes Magazine Names Pittsburgh America’s most Livable City For 2010

Pittsburgh has once again been named America’s Most Livable City, this time by Forbes magazine. Using 5 criteria to rank the top 200 metros, Pittsburgh came in number one on the strength of relatively low unemployment and low crime rates. For the rest of the story go to http://bit.ly/aObeLY