The latest figures from the Economic Development Department reflect some good news for Stanislaus County and some not so heartening news.
Stanislaus County posted an unemployment rate of 15.5 percent in November, just slightly up from the revised October rate of 15.3 percent. This marked the third month in a row that the county has had an unemployment rate below 16 percent, something that has been a rarity during these troubled economic times.
A small uptick in November's unemployment rate hasn't been seen since November 2007, and bucks the trend of the past few years, said EDD labor market analyst Nati Martinez.
In November 2007, the unemployment rate went from 8.2 percent to 8.8 percent. In 2008, it rose from 11.2 percent to 12.1 percent in November. In November 2009, the rate grew from 15.9 percent to 16.7 percent and last year it jumped from 16.1 percent to 17.2 percent in the same time frame, according to the EDD.
Stanislaus County's November unemployment rate for this year was well below the year-ago estimate of 17.2 percent.
However, the gains reflected in the EDD's report are tempered by the fact that less people are reporting that they are looking for work. Stanislaus County's labor force, which stood at an estimated 237,300 in October, fell to 233,200.
The EDD conducts their household job survey by first asking respondents if they are available for work or actively pursuing employment. Then they are asked about their employment status. The EDD does not ask respondents why they are not looking for work.
For November's survey, less people reported that they were available for work and the reasons can vary widely.
"There are numerous factors to account for a decrease in the labor force," Martinez said. "Some may be discouraged and some may not be fit to work. Some could be retired and some might be students. There are so many different reasons."
Those individuals feeling discouraged by their job search have plenty of company in California. According to the EDD's labor market review, the largest group of unemployed people is those who have been unemployed 52 weeks or more. This group represents 33.3 percent of all unemployed people in the state. The number of people unemployed 52 weeks or more has increased by 2.7 percent since November 2010, according to the labor review.
The second largest group is those who have been unemployed five to 14 weeks, which is 21.4 percent of all the state's unemployed.
California's unemployment rate was at 10.9 percent for November, down from 11.7 percent in October. The state's labor force decreased by an approximate 35,900 for the month.
The nation's unemployment rate was at 8.2 percent during the same time period, the EDD reported.
In Stanislaus County three sectors had month-over employment gains. Trade, Transportation and Utilities had a gain of 600 positions. Within that sector, retail had the most gains as stores brought on seasonal hires for the busy holiday season. Overall, the sector is down by 600 positions for the year-over.
The other sectors that saw job growth were Educational and Health Services, at 100 positions and Government at 100 positions. The Government sector positions were solely within school districts, according to the EDD.
The sectors with the largest job declines were in farming and manufacturing, which lost 1,700 and 1,300 jobs, respectively. However, this decline is typical of the winter season when many food processing plants shutter for the winter. Overall, manufacturing is up by 600 positions for the year-over.
In October, Stanislaus County had an approximate 36,000 unemployed with an average of 6,000 job postings for the month, according to the EDD's help wanted statistics.
The employers with the most job ads in October were: Kaiser Permanente 112; Sutter Health 103; E. & J. Gallo Winery 75; Emanuel Medical Center 43; Doctors Medical Center of Modesto 40; Advocate RX Solutions 35; Nurse Options USA 35; Staples 33; Stanislaus Economic Development 32; and NewmanCrows Landing Unified 32.
The most frequently advertised positions in October were: Registered Nurses 322; Truck Drivers, Heavy and TractorTrailer 282; Customer Service Representatives 232; Receptionists and Information Clerks 217; Retail Salespersons 191; Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants 149; Office Clerks, General 142; FirstLine Supervisors/Managers of Retail Sales Workers 141; Medical and Health Services Managers 129; and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing 118.
The majority of the positions were advertised in Modesto (5,335) with Turlock following a distant second at 502. Following Turlock were: Ceres - 154; Oakdale - 86; Riverbank - 77; Patterson - 71; Salida - 70; Newman - 62; Hughson - 19; and Waterford - 16.
Turlock's unemployment rate was at 11.8 percent, up from 11.5 percent, representing an approximate 3,300 unemployed people out of a labor force of 28,300. Denair posted an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent, up from 8.4 percent, with 200 unemployed out of a labor force of 2,000. Hughson's rate of 20 percent was an increase from 19.7 the month before and represented 400 unemployed out of a labor force of 2,100. Keyes' rate grew to 26.7 percent, up from 26.3 percent, which represents about 500 unemployed people out of a workforce of 2,000.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.