Higher employment levels were recorded in both the private (+5,800, 0.4%) and government (+500, 0.2%) sectors.  Total private sector employment has increased 11,700 positions (0.8%) since last April 2012.

In April, industry supersector employment gains were led by construction and mining (2,000, 3.7%).  This supersector has shown two straight months of healthy job increases above 2,000 and the strong spring seasonal buildup bodes well for the construction industry going forward.  The trade, transportation, and utilities supersector (1,500, 0.5%) bounced back from a large loss last month that may have been related to the early Easter occurring in March this year.  The education and health services (1,400, 0.4%) supersector continued consistent job gains last month.  The leisure and hospitality (900, 0.6%) supersector posted its seventh straight monthly gain in a row going back to October.  Restaurants and accommodations are heading the growth in this supersector and are very strong over the year (6,800, 5.8%).  The government supersector contributed 500 positions (0.2%) to overall job gains last month and the increase was entirely attributable local government employment (1,200, 0.8%) as state government declined (-700, -1.0%) and the federal government was unchanged.  A financial activities supersector gain (400, 0.3%) in April came as U.S. financial markets reached all-time high levels.  And the professional and business services (200, 0.1%) supersector recorded a slight job gain driven by large offsetting moves within the supersector.  Professional, scientific, and technical services employment fell  (-2,000, -2.3%), offset by an increase in administrative and support services (2,100, 2.5%, temporary employment measured here). Management of companies and enterprises (100, 0.3%) was slightly positive as well.

The two declining supersectors in April only were only off slightly led  by other services (-500,  -0.8%).  The information supersector was only marginally lower (-100, -0.3%).  The manufacturing supersector was unchanged in April.

Since April 2012, five of Connecticut’s ten major industry supersectors have increased jobs while four industry supersectors have declined.  The other services supersector was unchanged over the year. 

Job Growth OTY (magnitude)                                        Job Lose OTY (magnitude)

1.) Leisure and Hospitality (5,900, 4.2%)                          1.) Manufacturing (-2,500, -1.5%)

2.) Education and Health Services (5,700, 1.8%)               2.) Financial Activities (-2,200, -1.7%)

3.) Construction and Mining (3,900, 7.5%)                         3.) Government (-900, -0.4%)

4.) Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (900, 0.3%)            4.) Information (-400, -1.3%)

5.) Professional and Business Services (400, 0.2%)