Wisconsin's employment numbers rose in February, according to the latest statistics released Wednesday by the Department of Workforce Development.
The report stated that, with seasonal adjustments, there was a net gain of over 5,200 jobs. The unemployment rate between January and February stabilized at 8.7 percentage point, one percent lower than the national average.
""We're hearing that Wisconsin companies are hiring again, albeit selectively and with caution,"" DWD spokesperson John Dipko said.
The unemployment rate for Wisconsin in February 2009 was 7.7 percent, and 8.2 percent nationally. Wisconsin's unemployment rate rose over the year by only 1 percentage point in comparison to the national rise of 1.5 percentage point.
""The numbers indicate job recovery appears to have begun in the state with back-to-back increases and job growths on a seasonally adjusted basis,"" Dipko said.
There is significant seasonal adjustment given for these statistics, and Dipko said this is because of the heavy seasonality of Wisconsin's economy.
However, even with the seasonal adjustments, the report said Wisconsin has not seen midwinter gains like this since 2006.
DWD Secretary Roberta Gassman said the employment gains ""show Wisconsin is moving toward recovery out of the worst national economic downturn since the Great Depression.""
""We remain optimistic that our state's economy will continue to show improvement opening up greater employment opportunities for many hardworking families who have been out of work through no fault of their own,"" she said.
—Ariel Shapiro
