There are now more job openings than unemployed workers in the US

There are now more job vacancies than unemployed workers to fill them in the U.S. for the first time since 2000.

Data released on Tuesday by the Labor Department showed a record 6.7 million job openings in the U.S. in April, a slight increase from 6.63 million in March. 

The data also showed just 6.35 million workers categorized as unemployed, down from 6.59 million in March.

{mosads}

“Never before have we had an economy where the number of open jobs exceeds the number of job seekers,” Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “This administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans have the necessary skills to access good, family-sustaining jobs.”

The manufacturing of long-lasting durable goods, including airplanes and machinery, saw some of the biggest increases in job vacancies in April, in addition to the information sector.

The business-services industry saw more openings than any other industry, with 1.3 million in April. And the health care and social services industry came just behind, with 1.2 million openings combined in April.

The Labor Department categorizes people as employed if they received any paid work during the week the monthly survey was conducted, which includes part-time and temporary work.

The labor market maintained steady growth in May with 223,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy. The unemployment rate also fell to 3.8 percent, which is the lowest level since April 2000, and a drop from 3.9 percent in April, the Labor Department reported earlier this month.