More jobs and more job seekers in November - Dec. 19, 2006
06-107
Media contacts:
Evelina Tainer,
360-438-4812
Caitlin Cormier,
360-902-9215
Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audiofiles/audio/
OLYMPIA – Washington employers continued adding jobs in November, while an increase in the number of people looking for work caused the unemployment rate to rise slightly to 5 percent, according to the Employment Security Department.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 4.8 percent in October. At the same time, Washington employers added 4,900 nonfarm jobs (seasonally adjusted).
"This has been a great year on Washington’s job front,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “Our unemployment rate remains low, which indicates that our citizens are competing well for the thousands of new jobs that our employers are creating.”
Professional and business services continued to see gains, with 1,900 new jobs over the month. Manufacturing added 1,600 new jobs; transportation, warehousing and utilities added 1,300; and construction added 600 jobs.
Washington’s unemployment rate for the first 11 months of 2006 was 4.9 percent, which is the lowest annual average rate in the state since 1999.
“The job numbers show a lot of strength and optimism in the economy,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. “The number of jobs has grown in every month this year, and job seekers keep snatching them up.”
An estimated 166,251 people (not seasonally adjusted) currently are unemployed and seeking work in Washington. Lee said she encourages job seekers to visit a local WorkSource office and to check online job listings at www.go2worksource.com.
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