FEBRUARY Jobs, unemployment numbers Announced; Labor Demand, JOB OPPORTUNITIES INCREASING

Wisconsin manufacturing sector adds over 4,000 jobs for second, consecutive month

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Manny Perez announced today preliminary state unemployment and jobs data for the month of February 2011.

“The employment picture is shifting positively and this should motivate individuals who are on unemployment insurance or who have abandoned their job search to re-double their efforts to pursue employment opportunities,” Secretary Perez said. “In fact, 4,200 individuals re-entered the labor force in February, and Wisconsin has entered the annual hiring cycle that goes from March to August.  Individuals who delay efforts to re-enter the labor market run the risk losing a desirable position to those who acted more proactively.  Hence, it is very important for individuals to re-start or intensify their job search activities to take advantage of Wisconsin's improving business climate. We encourage job seekers who are qualified to apply for some of the 26,000 positions posted on www.JobCenterofWisconsin.com, and to connect with our state Job Service system if you need additional training and other assistance.”

Secretary Perez said further job gains are expected in the months ahead as the weather warms and seasonal hiring continues.

Place of Work Data

The total number of jobs in Wisconsin increased by 5,200 seasonally adjusted.

Employment overall increased by 5,200 seasonally adjusted with the private sector adding 3,600 jobs from January to February. Manufacturing showed the biggest gain, 4,300 jobs in February. Compared to a year ago, the jobs total increased by 25,300 seasonally adjusted. Without seasonal adjustment, the total number of jobs increased by 8,600 from January to February and by 25,100 compared to the February 2010 figure.

Unemployment Rate

Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, unchanged from January, but down 1.7 percentage points from 9.1 percent in February 2010. Without seasonal adjustment, the rate stood at 8.5 percent, up from 8.2 percent the previous month, but down from 10.3 percent in February 2010. The rates encompass Wisconsinites who are available for work and actively seeking jobs. The U.S. seasonally adjusted rate dropped to 8.9 percent from 9.0 percent in January. Without seasonal adjustment, the national rate declined to 9.5 percent from 9.8 percent in January.

Through January 2011, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate remained below that of other manufacturing-heavy Midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.