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Unemployment rises in June
Ag, healthcare expected job growth sectors in next five years
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The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County saw a slight increase in June, but continues to maintain lower levels that seen in recent years, according to the latest report from the Employment Development Department.

June’s unadjusted seasonal unemployment rate in Stanislaus County was at 12.7 percent, up from a revised rate of 12.1 percent posted in May. The county’s unemployment rate continues to fall below the year-ago estimates, signifying Stanislaus County is making grounds on the economic recovery effort. The EDD’s year-ago estimated unemployment rate for June was at 15.5 percent.

“It’s definitely quite a difference compared to last year,” EDD Labor Market Analyst Natividad Martinez said. “It is some good news to be found in the unemployment report.”

The increased unemployment rate posted in June was largely due to an influx of individuals looking for summer employment, such as school workers and students home from college.

The number of unemployed in Stanislaus County for June was at an estimated 30,400, which is up from an approximate 28,700 in May, the EDD reported.

“Typically, we see more individuals being counted in June, which contributes to a higher rate,” Martinez said.

In Merced County the unemployment rate rose from 13.6 percent in May to 14.1 percent in June. San Joaquin County saw a June unemployment rate of 12 percent, up from 11.5 percent the month prior.

California’s unemployment rate was at 8.8 percent in June, up from 8.1 percent in May. The nation had an unemployment rate of 7.8 percent for the same time period.

Even though Stanislaus County’s unemployment rate rose in June, most industries recorded job growth for the month. Farming-related jobs led the growth with an estimated 3,000 positions, the EDD reported. Manufacturing also saw growth with an approximate 700 positions added for the month. Trade, transportation and Utilities and Leisure and Hospitality each added about 200 positions for the month.

The sector posting the largest job losses was government. The EDD estimates the sector lost about 500 positions in June. However, the majority of those are at local school districts and most of the lay-offs are seasonal.

The construction sector saw a job decline of an estimated 100 positions in June, as did Education and Health Services, the EDD reported.

In Turlock the unemployment rate rose slightly from 9.2 percent in May to 9.6 percent in June. Denair had one of the lowest unemployment rates in Stanislaus County for June at 6.9 percent, which is up from May’s posting of 6.6 percent. Hughson’s unemployment rose to 16.6 percent in June, up from 16 percent in May. Keyes also saw an increase in unemployment, going from 21.7 percent in May to 22.5 percent in June. Ceres had an unemployment rate of 15.9 percent in June, up from 15.3 percent in May.

Included in this month’s labor analysis was a report on the occupations forecasted to see the most growth in the state during 2012 to 2014 and from 2008 to 2018.

In the short-term, service industry jobs like clerks, retail associates, restaurant workers, stock workers and custodians showed the largest expected job openings in the state.

For the 10-year outlook, occupations related to health care, education and business joined the ranks of service industry positions as having the largest forecasted growth in California.

The state’s total employment rate is forecasted to increase by 4.1 percent by the close of 2014. The report also expects more job openings will arise from replacing vacancies than from growth.

In Stanislaus County, farm-related jobs, positions in the service sector and health care occupations are expected to see the most available openings in the years leading up to 2018.