After the Storm: Jobs?

Connecticut recovered just under the half the 5,700 jobs it lost in February, adding 2,600 positions in March. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8%.
In releasing the monthly employment figures today, Department of Labor officials linked the huge loss of jobs in February to the blizzard that shut down parts of the state for almost a week.
“March employment numbers confirm that the steep February job decline was due to storm-related issues,” said Any Condon, the agency’s research director.
“Our three-month moving average of payroll job estimates indicates that Connecticut has continued on a path of modest job growth throughout the first quarter of this year.”
Weak growth
CBIA economist Pete Gioia also noted the three-month payroll trend, adding that the state’s employment figures continue to fluctuate from month to month.
“That’s a positive trend, but it’s still at a very weak rate,” Gioia said today.
“Connecticut has seen only 1,000 jobs net over the course of the year, year-over-year, which shows that the monthly figures are so volatile, it’s hard to track what’s going on.”
As an indication of the sluggish recovery, Connecticut has regained just 42% of the 121,000 jobs lost during the recession.
Sectors
Education and health services led all sectors in March, adding 3,600 jobs during the month.
Construction and mining also had a strong month, gaining 2,900 jobs. Leisure and hospitality added 600 positions while the information sector posted 200 jobs.
Losses were led by trade, transportation, and utilities, which shed 2,600 positions. Financial actitivities dropped 500 positions, as did the goverment sector.
Manufacturing lost 400 positions, as did professional and business services. Other services shed 300 positions in March..
Regions
Five of the state’s six labor market areas posted gains, with Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk adding 1,200 positions.
New Haven gained 800 positions, followed by Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford (300),  Waterbury (200), and Danbury (100).
Norwich-New London lost 400 jobs last month.