Posted: 2:38 PM Apr 6, 2012
Reporter: Alyssa Fenske

National numbers reveal slow job growth for March

LA CROSSE (WEAU) - National employment rates came out today revealing that March was a slow but positive month for jobs.

121 thousand jobs were added last month, about half what was predicted.

Unemployment dropped to 8.2 percent.

But unemployment may be going down for reasons other than the steady increases in jobs.

There are plenty of people still searching for jobs.

“I was laid off Friday last week,” said Job Seeker Ben Miller.

“I’ve been unemployed since November of last year,” said Job Seeker, Linda Munns.

But the national increase has given some people hope.

“The job is out there I’m sure of it. I just have to get out there and I’m sure the job is going to be more than I ever anticipated,” said Job Seeker Phyllis Boardman.

The warm weather led many to believe that March would be a strong month for jobs.
but experts say it fell short of its potential

“We were hoping for 200 thousand jobs, clearly this is half of that,” said Economics Professor Taggert Brooks.

Unemployment may be going down as well, but it’s not entirely because people are finding jobs.

“Unemployment went down from 10 to 8 percent. That’s mostly people just leaving the job search,” said Brooks.

Manufacturing was the area with the greatest increase with 37 thousand jobs. It’s been the leading area for job growth for the past 2 years.

Manufacturing staying strong is a hopeful sign that jobs may be on the increase in Wisconsin.

“Wisconsin is more manufacturing based, hopefully it will reflect on the state number that will be coming out shortly,” said Brooks.

But Wisconsin is still behind compared to surrounding states.

“We’re behind Minnesota. Governor Walker promised 250 thousand jobs during his term and he’s 63 thousand jobs behind that pace,” said Brooks.

WEAU Mobile Site Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site