Indiana's latest employment numbers are largely positive after the Hoosier private sector added jobs last month.

Some key Indiana employment metrics continue to show positive signs for the Hoosier economy.

The state's private sector increased jobs for the third consecutive month after a 2,500-person boost in September. But the unemployment rate remains at 3.5 percent.

The state's unemployment rate is the highest it's been in nearly a year. And August marked three months in a row in which the rate went up - the state's worst stretch since the height of the recession.

The Indiana unemployment rate climbed 0.2 percent over the last two months. It now stands at 3.4 percent, its highest point this year.

The rate increased a 0.01 percent, up to 3.3 percent in June. That's the first time it's gone up since July last year.

The 3.2 percent rate held steady since February, again equaling its lowest level in nearly 18 years.

Indiana's unemployment rate is at 3.2 percent for the third consecutive month. Before this year, it hadn't been that low since late 2000.

The state's private sector added 4,300 jobs, including a big boost in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

The rate was helped by a 5,200 job surge in the state's private sector, led by the construction industry.