There’s good news on the Hunter Valley jobs front heading into Christmas.
Unemployment has dipped 1.4 % to be below the state and national averages. According to the bureau of statistics the Hunter’s unemployment rate for November was 3.9 %.
Hunter Business Chamber CEo Peter Shinnick says it’s an excellent result giventhe seasonal influx of school and university leavers into the workforce.
” At the same time last year the Hunter’s unemployment rate increased by 1% to over 5%”.
“Total Hunter employment dropped slightly by 2000 in November, but at 325,300 continues to be near record highs” Mr Shinnick said.
“Despite nervousness in some sectors in particular retail and construction there is still a high demand for skilled labour” Mr Shinnick said. “With interest rates forecast to remain on hold for the first half of 2011 there is no reason why the Hunter won’t continue to create jobs in these large employment areas”.
