New job numbers released by the state show unemployment in Wisconsin holding steady, below seven percent The seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained steady from January, at 6.9 percent. “Over the past year, our state’s economy has become more stable, following steep job losses,” said John Dipko is with the Department of Workforce Development during a telephone conference call on Thursday. “We have turned the corner and a foundation for job creation has been built.” Dipko noted that the 6.9 percent jobless rate is the lowest since 2008. In addition, “our rate also remains well below the national rate and it has been consistently below the rates of other major midwest manufacturing states” including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.
AUDIO: DWD conference call (14:00)
DWD labor market information director Nels Grundvig said the unemployment figures are just one piece of bigger economic picture. “They’re not the only indicators of economic change and activity within the state,” said Grundvig. “In fact, you could argue in some ways that employment numbers are a lagging indicator of what’s happening in the economy.”
Total conform employment increased by 8300 in February – 4000 private sector jobs and 4300 government jobs. For the first two months of the year, Wisconsin has added 17,000 private sector jobs. Governor Scott Walker campaigned on a promise to create 250,000 jobs during his first term
READ: DWD on February job numbers (PDF)
