California Business Minute™

The California Workforce Association, CWA is a non profit
organization that formulates public policy strategies and
builds local capacity to address critical workforce issues.

CWA works to promote, enhance and serve the interest of local workforce development.

For further information, contact us  www.calworkforce.org or at 916 325-1610

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

The state Employment Development Department released employment figures for September. 
Unemployment remained unchanged at 7.7 percent from August.   California’s estimated
unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in September 2007.

The number of people unemployed in the state was 1,425,000 up by 4,000 over the month and
also up by 398,000 from September 2007.

Five industry segments saw increases, mining and natural resources, manufacturing, information,
health services, leisure and hospitality added jobs over the month.

Six industry divisions (natural resources and mining; professional and business services;
educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; other services;and government) posted
job gains over the year.

Eight counties had unemployment rates equal to or lower than the increasing U.S. average of 6.1
percent in September up from 7 in August.  These included; Marin, Napa, Orange, San Francisco,
San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. However on the opposite side of the
unemployment picture, 10 counties have double digit unemployment include; Alpine, Imperial, Lake,
Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Trinity, Tulare and Yuba.  This number remained constant
from August.

Marin had the lowest unemployment rates at 4.7 and Imperial County had the highest at 24.5 percent.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.

For further information see www.edd.ca.gov and www.beaconecon.com  go to products for drilldown