DWD: July jobs, unemployment numbers announced for state

CONTACT: John Dipko, Communications Director, 608-266-6753

On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm

MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Scott Baumbach announced today preliminary state jobs and unemployment data for the month of July 2011.

“Wisconsin is not immune to the national economic slowdown this summer, and we are seeing the effects of the national economy in our July numbers,” Secretary Baumbach said. “The wild market fluctuations during the debt ceiling negotiations, the European debt crisis and other factors contributed to a great deal of uncertainty, which may very well have affected Wisconsin’s job numbers given our state’s ties to the national economy.”

“Even so, Wisconsin is experiencing a manufacturing-led recovery, with a net growth of 15,000 manufacturing jobs this year, representing more than half of the net 28,700 new jobs created in the private sector,” Secretary Baumbach added. “Manufacturing positions are also among the jobs posted on http://www.JobCenterofWisconsin.com, and we encourage jobseekers to remain optimistic and to pursue these opportunities. With postings on the site recently surpassing 34,000, we will continue to do all that we can at DWD to match jobseekers with these positions, and to support a business-friendly environment that advances private sector job creation.”

Place of Work Data

The latest preliminary seasonally adjusted estimates show a decrease in employment from June to July, including 8,200 overall and 12,500 in the private sector. Compared to July 2010, Wisconsin has added 29,900 jobs overall including 29,400 in the private sector. Without seasonal adjustment, private sector jobs increased by 300 from June to July, and by 37,700 year-to-year.

Durable goods manufacturing added 2,000 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis from June to July and 17,100 compared to July 2010.

Unemployment Rate

Wisconsin’s seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was 7.8 percent, up slightly from 7.6 percent in June, but down from 8.2 percent in July 2010. Without seasonal adjustment, Wisconsin’s July unemployment rate was 7.7 percent, down from 8.1 percent in both June and July 2010. The rates encompass Wisconsinites who are available for work and actively seeking jobs.

The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.1 percent, down slightly from 9.2 percent in June and down from 9.5 percent in July 2010. Without seasonal adjustment, the U.S. rate was 9.3 percent, unchanged from June and down from 9.7 percent in July 2010.

Wisconsin unemployment rates remain below national rates, and through June 2011, below rates of other manufacturing-heavy Midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.