Unemployment Fall Continues

Ventura County’s job outlook continued to gain steam in April, as an expanding economy pushed the county’s unemployment rate down to 5.5%--even lower than the previous month’s drop to a seven-year low.

A report released Friday by the state’s Employment Development Department shows Ventura County added 2,300 jobs in April, bringing the total to 265,000.

After plunging to 5.6% in March, the county’s unemployment rate continued its downward trend last month and is now at its lowest level since June 1990.

Analysts say the jobless report, together with recent strong home sales and retail spending reports, shows Ventura County’s broad-based economic expansion still has momentum--and workers are enjoying the benefits.

“They tell a nice story all together. Incomes are up, people are spending in stores and buying homes,” UC Santa Barbara economist Mark Schniepp said. “They really do suggest a vibrant local economy.”

Seasonal agricultural hires accounted for much of the job creation in April--the county’s citrus, avocado and strawberry growers have all entered their busiest months. Farm payrolls expanded by 1,500 jobs last month to a total of 19,900.

And observers noted the number of high-technology jobs in Ventura County increased by 200 in April, bringing the total to 9,600.

Michael Karney, general manager of Pacific Coast Staffing in Thousand Oaks, said his placement agency has seen a surge in demand for information technology workers, people who help keep an organization’s computer systems running. Those workers often earn more than $50,000 a year, reflecting the widespread demand for their skills.

“Any organization that has a computer needs these individuals,” Karney said.

Meanwhile, other job sectors that have grown in recent months continued to expand.

Education hires have accounted for 1,500 new jobs in the past 12 months. Much of the rise can be attributed to Gov. Pete Wilson’s class-size reduction program, which calls for smaller classes in elementary schools and more teachers.

And 100 jobs were added in health services in April, bringing the number employed in that segment of the county’s job market to 16,700.

But one economist noted that during the past year, retailers have generated about 1,700 new jobs, many of which do not pay much better than minimum wage.

Positions at places such as fast-food restaurants and malls can reduce the unemployment rate, but that does not mean everyone is prospering, Cal Lutheran University economist Ali Akbari said.

“The job machine is creating new jobs,” Akbari said. “But one has to wonder, what kind of new jobs?”

Still, analysts said continued low employment in Ventura County should be cheered as good news.

Doug Perron of the labor market research firm Tiatek said a diverse set of industries in Ventura County is experiencing job growth, and the increasing number of businesses lining Ventura Freeway suggests that will continue.

“Ventura County has plenty of room for expansion,” he said.