The state unemployment rate for June rose from 8.7 percent in May to 9.2 percent according to the Department of Workforce Development. The state unemployment rate in June 2008 was 4.7 percent.
Since June of 2008 production sector jobs have decreased by 68,900 and non-farm jobs decreased by 123,000.
Despite the increase in overall unemployment, the service sector had a net increase of 11,100 jobs between May and June. Total non-farm jobs increased by 25,700 from May.
An increase in manufacturing jobs, the first in months, is encouraging,"" Roberta Gassman, DWD Secretary, said in a statement.
Gassman said the latest unemployment data ""underscores"" the continuing hardships produced by the nationwide recession. The national unemployment rate for June was 9.7 percent, up from 9.1 percent in May.
""We will persevere in our efforts to assist job seekers and employers, using every opportunity under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to help people find work, meet the workforce needs of employers, and rebuild our nation's economy,"" she said.
