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Scott Walker, Governor
Raymond Allen, Secretary

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 20, 2018
CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722
On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/news/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce
On Twitter: @WIWorkforce

BLS Data: WI Ranks 4th Nationally in Private Sector Jobs Gained Over-the-Month, 1st in Manufacturing Jobs added in 2018

WI's labor force participation rate 5th highest in nation

MADISON – Today, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Ray Allen released the following statement on the state-by-state rankings released by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing that Wisconsin's addition of 8,900 private sector jobs in March ranked 4th nationally and 2nd in the Midwest. Additionally, the data shows that Wisconsin's labor force participation rate of 68.7 percent ranked 5th nationally, while Wisconsin's historically low unemployment rate of 2.9 percent was the 8th lowest nationally. Wisconsin also leads the nation in manufacturing jobs added in 2018 year-to-date.

"If you live and work in Wisconsin, there is a lot to be excited about when looking at the rankings data released by BLS today," DWD Secretary Allen said. "Wisconsin is a national leader in creating manufacturing, construction and overall private sector jobs, our historically low unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation and our labor force participation rate not only outpaces the national rate by a significant margin, but outpaces 45 other states. Under Governor Walker, we have a business climate that promotes private sector expansion and opportunity, and Wisconsin workers are benefitting. I encourage all job seekers to visit your local job center today. DWD staff stand ready to help get you on your path to a rewarding career in one of Wisconsin's many high-growth industry sectors."

Highlights of today's state-by-state rankings include:

Wisconsin ranked 2nd in the nation in one-month construction job gains, and 1st in the Midwest
Wisconsin ranked 1st in the nation in manufacturing job gains in 2018
Wisconsin's addition of 2,100 manufacturing jobs over the month ranked 3rd nationally, and 1st in the Midwest
Wisconsin's addition of 6,800 total non-farm jobs over the month ranked 5th nationally
Wisconsin's labor force participation rate of 68.7 percent ranked 5th nationally and the 0.1 percent increase over the month ranked tied for 4th nationally
Wisconsin's addition of 8,900 private sector jobs over the month ranked 4th nationally, and 2nd in the Midwest, in terms of actual job growth and 1st in the Midwest in percent growth
Wisconsin's addition of 13,200 manufacturing jobs over the year ranked 3rd nationally, 2nd in the Midwest

Other indicators of the state of Wisconsin's economy include:

Initial UI claims ended 2017 at their lowest level in the last 30 years.
Continuing unemployment claims ended 2017 at their lowest level since 1973.
Moody's investor Service recently upgraded the state's credit rating, nothing that "(T)he stable outlook reflects the expectation that the state will experience moderate economic growth and will continue its prudent fiscal management practices."

The data included in today's release can be accessed on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.