Iowa registers slightly smaller job gains in April

Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday that unemployment eased to 6 percent in April on the strength of stronger hiring in manufacturing and construction.

The unemployment rate was just under the 6.1 percent rate of April 2010, and also the 6.1 percent unemployment rate of March 2011.

Iowa's unemployment rate was 3 points lower than the national rate of 9 percent.

"Manufacturing continues to be the driving force in the Iowa recovery," said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. Manufacturing employment was up 1,400 jobs from March, the highest of any employment sector. Growth was concentrated in the wood product and machinery manufacturing sectors, as well as beverage and food production.

Construction employment added 1,200 jobs. While manufacturing employment is now 3,100 jobs ahead of the previous year, however, construction employment still trails April 2010 by 2,700 jobs.

It was the fourth consecutive month of job gains, Wahlert said, noting that the pace of improvement had slowed.

Initial unemployment claims for April were down by 1,031 from March and down by 4,836 from April 2010.

Job-losing employment sectors in April were led by leisure and hospitality, down 800, and "other services," down 900.