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 June. 
Unemployment increased to 6.9 percent up from 6.8 percent from May.  California’s
estimated unemployment rate was 5.7 percent from June 2007.

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.

Five categories (construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities;
information; and financial activities) posted job declines over the year.

Only five counties had unemployment rates equal to or lower than the U.S. average
of 5.5 percent in June down from 9 in May.  These included; Marin, Napa, Orange San
Francisco and Santa Barbara. However on the opposite side of the unemployment picture,
9 counties have double digit unemployment include; Alpine, Colusa, Imperial, King, Merced,
Sierra, Stanislaus, Sutter, Trinity,  Yuba and another 5 counties hang close to double digit
unemployment. Unfortunately 53 out of the 58 counties in the state have higher unemployment
rates than the national average.

Marin had the lowest unemployment rates at 4.6. Imperial County had the highest at 22.6 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