Unemployment in New Jersey rose 0.4% to 9.7% last month, matching the national rate.
While the state’s private sector employment is rising, public sector jobs continue to decrease. The state lost 2,100 public employment positions in August, with the majority of those at the municipal level, according to the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The day before New Jersey released its August employment numbers, Gov. Jon Corzine announced his Return-to-Work program under which employers will receive up to $2,400 per newly hired worker to assist with job training costs.
The goal is to get long-time, out-of-work residents who have depleted their unemployment benefits back into the workforce. Qualified jobs must pay at least $15 per hour, employment must last at least six months, and the new employee must add to a company’s total workforce.
Following the announcement of the unemployment number, Republican Senate Leader Tom Kean called for a special session to address the state’s job losses.
