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Region gained 28,400 jobs over the past year
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Related Topics: WASHINGTON
This 1 percent increase marks the 70th consecutive monthly year-over-year growth in jobs dating back to July 2002, noted BLS Regional Commissioner Sheila Watkins.
The education and health services sectors grew the most both nationally and locally — by 3 percent nationwide and 2.7 percent in the Washington region. Jobs increased from 330,500 to 339,500 in the region in this sector.
In the wake of the housing downturn and credit problems, two sectors in particular — construction and financial services — were hit hard. Nationally, construction jobs decreased 5.4 percent from last April. In the Washington area, the construction industry, which was grouped with the natural resources and mining industries, fell to 179,500 jobs, a drop of 3.1 percent. (Natural resources and mining, which has its own category on a national level, added 4.1 percent more jobs.)
Financial services jobs were down 2.3 percent in the region, with the industry registering 156,100 jobs in April 2008. Overall, the sector lost 1.1 percent of its jobs across the country. Of the 12 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the country, the Washington region tied for fourth place with the Boston-Cambridge area in terms of job growth. The Houston area grew 2.8 percent; Dallas-Fort Worth expanded 2.3 percent; and the Atlanta region grew by 1.2 percent. Detroit, with a 2.6 percent job loss, had the worst decline.
“As other technology centers lose jobs, we tend to keep growing because people find a strong economy and opportunities here,” said Jerry Gordon, president and chief executive officer of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.
The leisure and hospitality sector only grew by 0.7 percent in the region, compared with 2.3 percent growth nationwide. The DC Chamber of Commerce, in a report also released Thursday, highlighted hospitality as one of the “underdeveloped core sectors in which the District possesses a clear comparative advantage.”
wblake@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:53 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 21, 2008 re: "Labor report: Unemployment rate falls in Maryland"
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6:35 PM MST on Fri., Nov. 21, 2008
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10:30 AM MST on Fri., May. 11, 2007
re: "Aging workers a liability for county"
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Examiner Reader said:
COULD SOMEONE TELL ME WHO I WOULD TALK TO ABOUT SAVING THE COUNTRY MILLONS OF DOLLARS IF I TOLD YOU HOW YOU WOULD BE SHOCKED THAT IT GOES ON IT'S NOT THE GOVERMENT IT'S WHAT SOME PEOPLE ARE DOING IN ARE COUNTRY AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT IT MAKES ME SICK I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT THRU A FRIEND SOME ONE PLEASE TELL ME WHO I CAN TELL
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
WHY DOES EVERY BODY GET THE UNEPLOYMENT EXSTENTION BUT MARYLAND WHY BECAUSE MARYLAND IS SO FAR BEHIDE THE TIMES ITS NOT FUNNY I GUESS WE CAN JUST STARVE MARYLAND IS GREAT REALY FOR THE PEOPLE
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Examiner Reader said:
yes i have worked for the katrina clean up since it began and for the pass 3 years i have worked with Travel Trailers and also the Mobile homes now im insterested into working for fema to further my career
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Examiner Reader said:
“A salary of $100,000 a year isn’t all that big a number anymore,” Fuller said. “At George Mason University, where I’m at, I know it’s hard to hire anybody for academic or management positions for under $100,000 these days.” "Where I'm at"? For six figures one would think they could take some remedial grammer courses.
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Professionalism said:
As a recent college undergraduate I can tell you all this…. In a perfect world, all of the smiling, resume giving, and note taking you did at your college career fair would have paid off immediately after you were handed your 60k+ piece of sheep skin, but it does not. Most companies and government agencies now list a bachelors as their “minimum” requirements. Furthermore, many recruiters at career fairs (especial those on the federal side) are not really there to look for applicants, unless they have specialized skills (i.e. majored in engineering), they are just there to pass time. Unless you are privileged to have a “daddy” with connections on the inside, you are going to be in line with everyone else, and possibly even working at 7-11 to get by till your apps come through. *Bachelors Degrees are a dime a dozen, and what employers really look for is experience,contacts,and work history. Today, anyone with enough money can go to any major university and BUY a degree. Hetch, they ca
2 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
You know, if your employee has low morale or does not like his job, they should leave, fire them, there are thousands of people looking for these good paying/benefit government jobs. You think adding 2 hours to a 8 hour day is going to get more done. No so, not in government, less work for more pay. They will playing games on the computer watching the clock to head home. If you would check you computers and dump everyone that has played a game, you would not have anyone working for the County. Next they will want a long lunch hour, more breaks because they have to work 2 more hours. Makes me sick to know they have low morale. QUIT YOUR JOB then.
5 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Well if the auditor's office is involved expect that report promptly in about 4 years.
16 agree | 6 disagree
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Baltimore said:
Big 20% raise for baltimore workers.Why don't they just stay home!
6 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the American corporations and businesses seeking higher profit margins for themselves lead to the loss of Jobs to China. I'm having difficulty naming 1 Chinese product or brand in the US market. The only solution is to bring these jobs back to America and have American workers get paid 0.40 cents an hour. This would be a win-win situation: corporations and manufacturers can continue making profits and American people can have jobs. Americans need to sacrifice for the greater good of American businesses.
5 agree | 10 disagree
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BuddyDuh said:
Yes, but I mean Why? With all that money there are why someone want to keep on paying low salaries anyway? If this is not some kind of modernisized slavery in camoflaging style? That is not acceptable specially talking about this great nation of the USA plus many more super rich countries from around the world. Is time to become fair with labor workers peoples. Left have some dignity by share money resources between the 'Modern Slavery Poors' system and break even. Why Not?
11 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Please note- Liz Rockey has already started a new position as a graphic artist, just days after her graduation. VJC has been highly successful in its career placement, with 98% of its students starting jobs in in their field within 6 months of graduation. The 10 year rate is 96%, even in difficult employment times.
19 agree | 18 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Currently, 94.9 percent of those who desire to work are employed. The news is GOOD for recent college grads. Sure, if you chose to major in African Studies or Art History, your choices are somewhat limited. One thing, though. If your went to a Baltimore City Public High School, you may want to down-play that on your resume. Good luck, Grads! Remember, Uncle Sam and his cousin MARY land get 35% off the top. Oh yes, I almost forgot...MD sales tax is another 6%. If you have to register your car, remember thats another 128.00 (or 180 for suv). Both milk and gas are 4.00 a gallon, so budget accordingly. Welcome aboard.
18 agree | 19 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
As usual, thousands of seniors graduate this month from Maryland universities, and like those before them will deal with the rewards of a free market economy. Some graduates will find that they majored in a field that has little practical value in the real world. They may be forced to take jobs in another field, teach, or work in government. No matter, each graduate will forced to find his way for better or worse. Some will whine and fail, others will persevere and succeed. It’s an individual choice that separates the wheat from the chaff.
16 agree | 17 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Hello, I'm writing because I'm asking for help for job and school opportunities for my ex con friend, thankyou.
492 agree | 299 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
They are called “discouraged workers” — experienced workers who have walked away from the job market, discouraged by low-paying jobs.
375 agree | 348 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Re: Cabinet leaders confirm more layoffs, FYI to readers...at the Department of Business & Economic Development, all the lay-offs WERE EHRLICH APPOINTEES who had excellent yearly evaluations. What does that tell you?
412 agree | 352 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Summer jobs and even part-time jobs during the school year are so important for teens! Work ethic is strengthened, confidence in working with the public is established - all of these traits that will benefit them in the future.
442 agree | 384 disagree
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King said:
Baltimore is a broken city. It's that simple. High taxes - High Crime, Bad Roads, Bad Schools Expensive Housing - No well paying jobs High Gas Prices - NO Good Public Transit. B-R-O-K-E-N
427 agree | 393 disagree
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Dear Acme said:
If you spent over $100,000 or more on your education, sorry chick, but Acme ain't cutting it! Those low wages won't even pay interest on the principal, let alone keep the lights on, food on the table and a roof over your head. It is unfortunate that people have to eke out a living on those wages. Criminal is more the word.
397 agree | 390 disagree
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Karl Chue said:
The 41% wage increase will result in a 35% job loss for young blacks, teenagers and high school dropouts. Please remember to thank the Democrats for looking out for young blacks, making the future brighter for teenagers and providing opportunities for high school dropouts. With such great job prospects, young blacks will easily be encouraged to not go down the path of drugs and gangs.
404 agree | 388 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
We are understaffed but we have always had that sign at ACME even pre-katrina. Research before you write. Sincerly, waitress at ACME
609 agree | 416 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
There is no doubt that Baltimore County's workforce is growing older. We have known for some time now that the Baby Boomers are at or nearing that golden time of retirement. Many in todays workforce may be eligible for retirement in five years. Except for the general employees of the Baltimore County Government, many of whom, are in both skilled and unskilled laborers jobs at agencies such as the Dept. of Public Works or Recreation & Parks. Workers whom make sure our sewers don't back up, the traffic signals function properly, the roads stay in good shape, or the park grounds stay neatly mowed. The County Administration is working hard to get their own employees to work until they just drop dead. After all then they won't have to pay out all those Other Post Employment Retirement Benefits such as health care.
1,209 agree | 513 disagree
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