Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.7 percent in October from a revised September rate of 6.6 percent. The statewide jobless rate was reported at 4.3 percent in October 2008.

Director Elisabeth Buck announced today that approximately 20,000 notices will be mailed from Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) to Iowans who may be eligible for the additional emergency unemployment insurance benefits of up to 14 weeks, if their previous benefits are currently exhausted.

Iowa Workforce Development announced that the unemployment contribution rate for employers will be adjusted on January 1, 2010 to keep the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund at sufficient levels to adequately provide for unemployment benefits.

The 2009 State Report Card for Workers’ Compensation ranks Iowa as the most effective system in the nation. The rankings are distributed annually by the Work-Loss Data Institute.

Maximum weekly benefits paid to jobless Iowans and to workers injured on the job will increase July 5, 2009, announced Iowa Workforce Development.

Iowa Workforce Development’s division of Labor Market Information recently released newly updated projections for the industries of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) officially launches the www.youthforiowa.org Web site to promote the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) youth summer job program.