Oregon Economy Adds 2,900 Jobs

For the first time in six months, Oregon reported an increase in jobs added to the state economy. Oregon’s seasonally adjusted non farm payroll employment added 2,900 jobs in December after a loss of 2,000 jobs in the previous month. December marked the first time since July that the state gained jobs. The last substantial gain occurred in July 2008, when 5,400 jobs were added. There is a demand for vocational rehabilitation services, job training and counseling, that has only risen with the increasing unemployment rate and created 1,400 new positions. Unemployed people are also returning to schools and universities and account for a rise in enrollments and employment rates in these sectors. Substantial job gains were also made in the trade, transportation and utilities sectors in December.