Connecticut’s unemployment rate was unchanged in March at 8 percent as private sector employment grew by 3,100 jobs, or 0.2 percent, the state Department of Labor reported April 18.
Overall, nonfarm employment grew by 2,600 jobs in March after declining by 5,700 jobs in February. A Connecticut labor official said the data confirm the February decline was due in part to a blizzard that blanketed the southwest and central portions of the state.
“March employment numbers confirm that the steep February job decline was due to storm-related issues,” said Andy Condon, research director for the DOL, in a statement.
Condon said the three-month moving average of employment puts Connecticut “on a path of modest job growth throughout the first quarter of this year.”
In March, job growth was strongest in the education and health services sector, which added 3,600 jobs statewide, and in the construction sector, which added 2,900 jobs – good for a 5.7 percent monthly increase.
Those gains, however, were countered by a monthly loss of 2,600 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector as well as declines in the financial activities, government, manufacturing and professional services sectors.
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