While the unemployment rate remained unchanged, Connecticut transportation jobs were added.

Connecticut businesses added 6,300 jobs to nonfarm payrolls in April 2013. The private sector added 5,800 workers and the public sector increased 500 positions.

The state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.0% last month. Connecticut has now gained 9,600 jobs in the first four months of the year for a 2,400 average monthly growth pace in 2013.

Employment in Connecticut for April continued to improve and increased by 6,300 additional jobs or 0.4% growth over the month.

Seven of ten major industry supersectors posted job gains in April, and only two exhibited employment declines. The manufacturing component was unchanged.

The state has added 10,800 positions (0.7%) since April 2012 and is now at a new employment recovery highpoint of 1,649,300 jobs.

Connecticut has now recovered 57,500 positions or 47.4% of the 121,200 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs that were lost in the state in the March 2008 to February 2010 employment recession. The jobs recovery is now 38 months underway.

The private sector has performed better and has restored 65,000 (57.0%) of the 114,000 private jobs that were lost during the same employment downturn. This month marks the highpoint in the nonfarm employment recovery in the state at 1,649,300.

“Though our monthly data can be volatile, Connecticut’s job growth tempo picked up considerably last month,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “The state appears to be experiencing a solid and more typical spring seasonal job buildup. Seven of ten major industry supersectors participated in job gains in April. Annualized job growth is now back above 10,000.

Engineering jobs in Connecticut are highly coveted, according to recent statistics from job board CareerBuilder.

New research from CareerBuilder and CareerRookie shows where the jobs are and what employers are willing to negotiate in job offers for America’s next generation of workers, college grads.

In a nationwide online survey of more than 2,000 employers, CareerBuilder and Harris Interactive© asked companies which college majors were most in demand at their firms. Similar to last year, business and technical majors are the most sought after:

1) Business – 31 percent

2) Computer and Information Sciences – 24 percent

3) Engineering – 17 percent

4) Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences – 10 percent

5) Engineering Technologies – 9 percent

6) Math and Statistics – 9 percent

7) Communications Technologies – 7 percent

Education – 7 percent

9) Science Technologies – 6 percent

10) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities – 6 percent

Industries with the largest year-over-year growth for entry-level jobs (with at least 1,000 active jobs in March) include:

1) Advertising – 55 percent

2) Computer Software – 37 percent

3) Accounting and Finance – 36 percent

4) Hospitality – 36 percent

5) Automotive – Motor Vehicles – 25 percent

6) Sales and Marketing – 21 percent

7) Training – 21 percent

Not for Profit – Charitable – 17 percent

9) Retail – 16 percent

10) Healthcare – Health Services – 16 percent

The number of finance jobs in Connecticut has climbed according to a recent study released by a job board.

Simply Hired reported that for the tenth time in 12 months the U.S. has experienced growth in job openings. In April, job openings were up 6.2% month-over-month and 40.9% year-over-year.

Job openings increased in all 50 major metros in April with Greenville, SC (9.2%), Portland, OR (9.0%), Grand Rapids, MI (8.4%) and Albuquerque, NM (8.3%) experiencing the largest gains. Moreover, the ratio of job seekers to job openings improved in 19 out of 50 (38%) metro areas, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Miami. None of the top 50 metro areas experienced an increase in competition.

The ratio of job seekers to job openings improved in 19 out of 50 (38%) metro areas and none of the top 50 metros saw an increase in competition.

Job openings increased in 16 out of 18 industries in April, with legal (13.6%) and financial services (13.2%) showing the largest gains. The only two industries that saw decreases during this period were agriculture (-8.9%) and government (-1.7%).

A large majority of occupation categories (20 out of 24) experienced growth in job openings in April. Architects (12.0%) and lawyers, judges and legal support (9.0%) experienced the largest amount of growth month-over-month. The largest declines in April were seen in food workers (-11.0%) and engineers (excluding computers) (-1.9%).

“Job openings increased in every major metro in April, marking the tenth time in 12 months the U.S. has seen an increase in job growth,” said James Beriker, president and CEO of Simply Hired. “We are seeing job listings increase in nearly all industries, as well as significant improvements in job competition across the country. As we move into summer, these are great signs for the economy and continued job momentum.”

The job numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics will be released later this month.

The unemployment rate in Connecticut fell to 8 percent in February, according to recent labor market statistics.

Estimates for Connecticut show a payroll job loss of 5,700, however, they also show a continued decline in Connecticut’s unemployment rate of one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.0%.

Employment fell in eight out of ten major industry supersectors.

Nonfarm employment in Connecticut fell by 5,700 jobs, or -0.4% in February 2013 (seasonally adjusted). Eight of ten industry employment supersectors exhibited job declines last month, possibly driven by storm-related disruptions. January 2013’s preliminary estimate of a 4,700 job gain over the month (0.3%) was revised higher to a gain of 6,400 (0.4%). Since February 2012, the state has now added just 2,400 positions (0.2%).

“Though our data can’t point at any specific regions or industry sectors that would confirm the winter storm hampered job growth in February, that result seems likely,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research. “On the plus side, we continue to see the state’s unemployment rate decline, if only at a modest pace.”

Three years into the employment recovery for the state, Connecticut has now recovered 48,600, or 40.1%, of the 121,200 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs lost in the March 2008 – February 2010 employment downturn. The private sector has recouped 56,100 (49.2%) of the 114,000 private jobs lost during the same recessionary period. The new current job recovery high point for Connecticut’s total nonfarm employment (1,646,100) was reached in the prior month with the January 2013 revised update.

Just two of the six major Connecticut Labor Market Areas (LMAs) posted job gains in February 2013 as four of the other major state LMAs declined. The major Connecticut LMAs are estimated and seasonally adjusted independently from the statewide numbers. The Danbury LMA (300, 0.4%) and the Norwich-New London LMA (100, 0.1%) were the only two regions to add jobs over the month.

A new round of funding for state universities is sure to create more construction jobs in Connecticut.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy has approved $95 million in bond funding for Connecticut State University System (CSUS) 2020 projects.

This includes funds for infrastructure improvements, mechanical and electrical upgrades, renovation and equipment, code compliance, and new construction that will replace antiquated or inadequate facilities.

“Thirty-five percent of Connecticut high school graduates attend one of our 17 colleges and universities, and the majority of those students stay in our state upon finishing their program of study. An investment in our institutions is an investment in our state’s future workforce,” said Philip E. Austin, Interim President of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, which now governs the four state universities. “These projects will help our universities update and renovate older buildings, purchase new equipment, and expand the capacity on the campuses by constructing state-of-the-art buildings which will enhance our students’ learning experiences. I thank Governor Malloy for furthering this investment in our campuses and our students, and the Board of Regents for their continued support.”

“Connecticut businesses must have the talent to compete globally, and our state university system is critical for training our future workforce,” said Governor Malloy. “Over the past two years we’ve made unprecedented investments to improve education—ensuring that Connecticut’s state universities have the resources to modernize and grow is an important part of strengthening Connecticut’s economy.”

Many new jobs are cropping up, including Connecticut office jobs.

Forty percent of employers plan to hire temporary and contract workers in 2013, up from 36 percent last year, according to CareerBuilder’s annual job forecast. Many of these employers – 42 percent – plan to transition some temporary workers into full-time, permanent employees.

CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists (EMSI) released a list of occupations that are hiring temporary workers at an accelerated rate.

Among the fastest-growing temporary jobs are:

· Team Assemblers (help to assemble an entire product or part of a product1)

o Number of people employed2: 128,096

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 21,529 – 20 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $13.25

· Office Clerks (handle administrative tasks such as typing, filing, answering phones, etc)

o Number of people employed: 132,264

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 21,219 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $13.18

· Customer Service Representatives (provide information to customers and handle complaints)

o Number of people employed: 76,445

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 12,334 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $14.90

· Human Resources, Training and Labor Relations Specialists (support various HR functions such as training, benefits, etc)

o Number of people employed: 59,597

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 11,893 – 25 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $26.44

· Registered Nurses (provide patient care, advice and support)

o Number of people employed: 66,844

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 8,766 – 15 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $32.10

· Nursing Aides, Orderlies and Attendants (provide basic care to patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities)

o Number of people employed: 31,975

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 5,155 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $11.91

· Home Health Aides (monitor health status and assist with routine care such as changing bandages, applying topical medications, bathing, etc)

o Number of people employed: 27,308

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 4,786 – 21 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $9.96

· Maintenance and Repair Workers (maintain and repair machines, equipment and buildings)

o Number of people employed: 24,238

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 3,917 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $16.94

· Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (drive a tractor-trailer vehicle and may assist with unloading)

o Number of people employed: 22,701

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 3,700 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $17.96

· Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers (assess products for defects, wear and deviations from specifications)

o Number of people employed: 21,458

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 3,414 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $16.63

· Sales Representatives, Services (sells services to businesses and consumers)

o Number of people employed: 21,485

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 3,336 – 18 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $24.60

· Computer Support Specialists (help people or organizations using computer software or equipment)

o Number of people employed: 16,197

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 2,574 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $23.58

· Computer Programmers (write code to create and develop software programs)

o Number of people employed: 11,487

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 1,821 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $34.48

· Accountants and Auditors (prepare and examine financial records to ensure accuracy)

o Number of people employed: 10,855

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 1,689 – 18 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $30.04

· Business Operations Specialists (analyze and reengineer business processes to enhance product or service delivery and other functions)

o Number of people employed: 10,528

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 1,677 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $30.82

· Electricians (install and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, etc)

o Number of people employed: 7,657

o Jobs added from 2010 to 2012: 1,245 – 19 percent growth

o Median hourly wage: $23.64

The U.S. Labor Dept. is making available millions of dollars in grants so more states can build or expand longitudinal databases that link workforce and education data, enabling them to improve the performance of workforce programs, an initiative that could improve Connecticut jobs.

The labor department announced it has made available $6 million in grants for the third round of the Workforce Data Quality Initiative.

Grantees will be expected to use these longitudinal databases to conduct research and analysis aimed at determining the effectiveness of workforce and education programs, and to develop tools to inform customers of the publicly funded workforce system. This grant opportunity stems from the Obama administration’s focus on access to high-quality data and is related to the U.S. Department of Education’s Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems grants to build longitudinal education databases.

According to the DOL, grantees will be expected to achieve multiple goals during the three-year grant period. These include developing or improving state workforce longitudinal data systems with individual-level information, enabling workforce data to be matched with education data to create longitudinal data systems, improving the quality and breadth of data in the workforce data systems, using longitudinal data to provide useful information about program operations, analyzing the performance of education and employment training programs, and providing user-friendly information to help consumers select the training and education programs that best suit their needs.

“These grants will provide access to high quality data, which will help improve how the workforce system serves those who need assistance most,” said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. “Better data means better guidance for consumers, practitioners and policymakers. Better guidance means stronger workforce programs and a stronger U.S. workforce.”

The New England Minority Supplier Development Council has moved back to Bridgeport, a move that will support jobs in Connecticut.

The organization’s goals is to increase procurement opportunities between corporate members and certified minority-owned businesses.

The new office will be located at 333 State Street in downtown Bridgeport.

The GNEMSDC was originally established in Bridgeport in 1976 and has grown into the largest organization of its kind, helping to facilitate more than $4 billion in contracts between its corporate members and minority-owned businesses in the region.

The GNEMSDC also maintains a Boston office from which it serves members in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the rest of New England.
GNEMSDC certified MBE’s accounted for over 13 billion in sales revenue and employed more than 60,000 employees in 2011. Of the 60,000 employed, 31,000 were minority employees. It is also estimated that for every $96 invested, the Business Center helped generate $1 million in new contracts for MBE clients.

“We are excited about our move back to Bridgeport, as it provides us a perfect opportunity to better serve the rapidly growing minority business sector as well as those companies who make it a business imperative to hire certified MBEs,” said Dr. Fred McKinney, President of the GNEMSDC. “In addition, we are growing and this location better accommodates that growth while continuing to seamlessly serve our existing corporate and MBE members across the region.”

“Thirty percent of the state’s population is now an ethnic or racial minority, and the dramatic demographic shift continues to trend into the future. The GNEMSDC is poised to grow as minority-business growth continues to surpass the general market and corporations understand the economic value of strengthening their relationship with MBEs through procurement opportunities,” Dr. McKinney added.

According to a recent poll, firefighter jobs in Connecticut are ranked as one of the more stressful jobs in America.

Among civilian careers, firefighter is ranked the most highly on the Jobs Rated stress scale. The job’s danger is apparent: running into burning buildings and dropping into forest fires calls for nerves and bravery few other careers require.

The personal danger a firefighter sees in the line of duty is high. Likewise, they are charged with the well-being of communities’ residents and property. The job’s challenges are myriad, and the stress can have a profound impact. The U.S. Fire Administration and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) collaborated on a study over the course of six years, examining the dangers firefighters face.

“Year after year, there are notable advancements in the fire service industry. These advancements range from building code improvement to sprinkled buildings, from better protective gear to technologically advanced apparatus,” the report says. “But despite the advances made in safety and health areas, firefighters are still being killed, injured and diseased at an alarming rate.”

A new poll from Careercast posits that more than 110 officers were lost in the line of duty last year, according to the non-profit organization Officer Down. The personal safety risks police officers face are apparent. As for overseeing the safety of others — one of the factors in the stress score – it’s outlined right in the officer’s motto: To Protect and Serve.

This is all according to their article on the most stressful jobs in America.

Several other metrics that apply to the Jobs Rated stress score – travel, working in the public eye, physical demand and danger.

Two careers in the media industry score highly on the stress scale: photojournalist and newspaper reporter. Professionals from each field can be thrown into the epicenter of dangerous situations, such as war, natural disasters and police chases.

The number of retail jobs in Connecticut may be diminishing, recent stats from the labor market show.

Otherwise in the nation, retail is healthy.

Employment in retail trade rose by 33,000 in January, compared with an average monthly gain of 20,000 in 2012. Within the industry, job growth continued in January in motor vehicle and parts dealers (+7,000), electronics and appliance stores (+5,000), and clothing stores (+10,000).

Health care continued to add jobs in January (+23,000). Within health care, job growth occurred in ambulatory health care services (+28,000), which includes doctors’ offices and outpatient care centers. This gain was partially offset by a loss of 8,000 jobs in nursing and residential care facilities. Over the year, health care employment has increased by 320,000.

In January, employment in construction increased by 28,000. Nearly all of the job growth occurred in specialty trade contractors (+26,000), with the gain about equally split between residential and nonresidential specialty trade contractors. Since reaching a low in January 2011, construction employment has grown by 296,000, with one-third of the gain occurring in the last 4 months. However, the January 2013 level of construction employment remained about 2 million below its previous peak level in April 2006.

Employment increased by 157,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 7.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

Employment increased in wholesale trade (+15,000) in January, with most of the increase occurring in its nondurable goods component (+11,000). Since the recent low point in May 2010, wholesale trade has added 291,000 jobs.

Jobs edged down in transportation and warehousing in January (-14,000). Couriers and messengers lost 19,000 jobs over the month, following strong seasonal hiring in November and December. Air transportation employment decreased by 5,000 in January.

The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 34.4 hours. The manufacturing workweek edged down by 0.1 hour to 40.6 hours, and factory overtime was unchanged at 3.3 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged down by 0.1 hour to 33.6 hours.