by David Taub

There is positive news in the Fresno job market. The California Employment Development Department newest figures show a net gain of 3,600 workers over the last month (August to September 2016). Unemployment is down in Fresno County, rating 8.3%, down from 8.7% in August, but still lagging the state (5.3%) and the nation (4.8%).

The numbers are somewhat deceiving. Most of those job gains were in government: 3,500. Local jurisdictions hired 2,000 new workers (state hired 800 and federal 700). EDD says the increase is because of teachers returning to school.

Farm labor went the other direction, with 1,100 fewer workers, attributed to the end of the raisin grape harvest.

Unemployment remains even at this mark in 2015.

Additional reading:

Fresno County jobs report October 2016