However, the average unadjusted (not seasonally adjusted) unemployment rate of 7.9 percent for the county in June 2012 is lower than the 8.8 percent reported for the same period from a year ago.
The unemployment statistics for Santa Barbara County released today compared to California’s unemployment rate of 10.7 percent. The national average of 8.2 percent remained fixed from the previous month’s report.
Today’s numbers represent an improvement in the key industries as a year-to-date trend, but today’s numbers show only moderate to slow growth in total non-farm jobs such as leisure & hospitality, trade, transportation, & utilities posting the strongest job growth for June. Construction, financial activities, and professional services also reported growth which if sustained will help strengthen the economic outlook for the region. The public sector continued to be hardest hit with job losses in Education & Health Services and Government.
“We continue to see the trend of improvement over the same time period from the previous year which is a silver lining. Our goal in workforce development is to continue to work towards a lower unemployment rate for the county. We never want to see an increase in the unemployment numbers, even a half of percentage point.” said Raymond McDonald, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Workforce Investment Board. “With that said, government job loss, which posted a decrease for the month, has been a trend we’ve seen as local municipalities struggle with budget constraints, added Mr. McDonald.
About the Workforce Investment Board of Santa Barbara County
The Workforce Investment Board, is dedicated to serving the workforce needs of businesses, adults, laid-off workers and youth throughout Santa Barbara County. The WIB is a public/private partnership created by the Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and is staffed by the County of Santa Barbara.
Job seekers and employers can take advantage of free services at two Workforce Resource Centers (“One-Stops”) to help find work or new employees. Programs include employment services for job seekers, the latest labor market information and regional workforce research for businesses, as well as training that specialize in helping people gain the skills and confidence necessary to find and obtain a job. The One-Stop Shops are at 1410 S. Broadway in Santa Maria, (805) 614-1550, and 130 E. Ortega Street in Santa Barbara, (805) 568-1296. Online information is available here.
For more information please go to: SantaBarbaraCountyWIB.org or to labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov for the full statewide unemployment figures
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Comments
If you all think 7.9% is bad, wait till the Federal Government ax's all of its Contractor workforce! After we all get to cast a useless vote for the boob who will lead this Country down the Fiscal Cliff to massive unemployment will these numbers seem tame to the estimated 38% Nationwide. Most Government Contractors were hired to fill the contract requirements and if the Government decides it is cheaper the pay the Companies the penaty fee than to retain the personnel, then there will be a whole lotta highly skilled and unemployed labor, not to mention the loss of taxes, surge in unemployment benefits (could cripple that system), and shoot crime to its highest through civil unrest.
Wait for it...wait for it.....
dou4now (anonymous profile)
July 30, 2012 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)