ABJ - September 12 - There were 3.2 million job openings on the last business day of July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

The hires rate (three per cent) and separations rate (three per cent) were essentially unchanged over the month.

The number of job openings in July was 3.2 million, little changed from June. Although the number of job openings remained below the 4.4 million openings when the recession began in December 2007, the level in July was 1.1 million openings higher than in July 2009. The number of job openings increased over the month for manufacturing and for arts, entertainment, and recreation.

The number of job openings in July increased over the year for total nonfarm and total private. Eight industries saw an increase over the year in the number of job openings; the number of job openings decreased for federal government. The number of job openings rose in the Midwest, South, and West.

The number of hires in July was 4 million, up from 3.6 million in October 2009, but below the 5 million hires recorded in December 2007.

The total separations figure includes voluntary quits, involuntary layoffs and discharges, and other separations, including retirements.