Services employment grew 2.6% over last quarter adding 16,894 employees. Typically, third quarter experiences strong seasonal gains as a result of summer tourism, but some of this quarter’s increases were promoted by factors outside the seasonal realm. Business Services (73) garnered the largest share of new employees rising by 7611. Hiring through temporary help agencies strengthened over the last two quarters and added 4612 employees this quarter. Hiring for help with Computer Programming, Data Processing & Other Computer Related Services added another 2377 employees to the Business Services sector. Hotels & Lodging (70) supported by summer tourism seasonally grew by 4057 employees. Health Services (80) showed a gain of 1630. About half of the increase occurred in Hospitals. One hospital conglomeration reported increases of almost 500, apparently the result of reporting changes and not necessarily growth in the industry. The only loss over the quarter befell Personal Services (72) down 269 employees. Losses were seasonal resulting from cutbacks following the close of tax season and the processing of tax returns. Some gains in beauty salons and photographic studios offset losses.
ANNUAL
Annual employment growth in the Services industry rose to its highest level in two years peaking at 35,181 new employees for a rate increase of 5.6%. More than half of the industry increase was attributed to heavy demand for Business Services (73). Business Services, which added 20,016, reflected increased demand for contracted Computer Programming, Data Processing & Other Computer Related Services. The provision of professional engineering services and management and business consulting caused the addition of 3964 employees to Engineering Services (87). Health Services (80) added 3099 employees over a year ago. Hospitals picked up the largest share of the sector gain adding 900 with most of the gain occurring this quarter. Misc Health & Allied Services generated the next largest increase up 588 with most of it occurring in first quarter due to SIC changes. Social Services (83) added 2401 employees. Child day care services and residential care, which includes assisted living facilities, generated most of the growth within this sector. Only two of the sixteen sectors lost employment over the year: Motion Pictures (78) down 156 due to theatre closures and Misc Repair Services (76) down 37 due to cutbacks.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 2000
