Unemployment Numbers For June 2012 increase
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
