By The Informer Staff

 In the June Labor Report, private sector employment including manufacturing, showed gains since May 2012 and one year ago, both positive improvements. 

Kansas gained 19,400 private sector jobs since one year ago, a 1.8 percent increase. Since May 2012, Kansas gained 7,300 private sector jobs, or 0.7 percent. 

“Keeping our focus on long term gains helps us see that we are growing jobs in Kansas,” Karin Brownlee, Kansas Secretary of Labor, said. 

Seven of the 11 major industries reported job gains since June 2011. Professional and businesses services increased by 10,000 jobs, a 6.8 percent growth. Manufacturing added 5,800 jobs since one year ago, or 3.6 percent. 

Seven of the major industries also saw gains from one month ago. Trade, transportation and utilities grew by 1,900 jobs, a 0.8 percent increase. Manufacturing added 1,800 jobs, a 1.1 percent gain. 

“The Kansas labor market continues its trend of slow growth this month, although there were some positive signs. The number of online advertised job openings increased notably and the number of average weekly hours worked by production workers increased 0.6 hours from the previous month,” said Tyler Tenbrink, labor economist. “These are both signs that indicate the demand for workers is likely to improve in the state.”

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Kansas was 6.1 percent, unchanged since April and down from 6.8 percent in June 2011. The non-adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2 percent, up from 5.8 percent in May and down from 6.8 percent one year ago. 

Since last month, Kansas lost 3,900 nonfarm jobs, a 0.3 percent decrease. Government accounted for most of this decline, losing 11,200 jobs because of seasonal changes, or 4.2 percent, since May 2012. 

Continued unemployment insurance claims in June 2012 were down from both May 2012 and June 2011. Initial claims were down from both one year ago and one month ago as well. 

The July 2012 Labor Report will be released on Aug. 17. For more information, visit www.dol.ks.gov or follow KansasDOL on Twitter and Facebook.