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Business & Tech

Good News for Napa Job-Seekers

With 200 more hospitality jobs than 12 months ago, Napa County's unemployment rate for April dipped below last month's, last year's and the state's --and the season is just getting under way.

In April, fewer Napans were jobless in comparison to the rest of the state and nation, according to statistics provided by the state Employment Development Department.

The numbers indicate that Napa County’s unemployment rate for April stood at 9.6 percent, compared to a month ago when it was 10.3, percent, said Jorge Villalobos, a labor consultant who tracks Napa’s employment for the EDD.

In April 2010, Napa’s unemployment was 9.9 percent.

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Statewide unemployment dipped to 11.9 percent in April, while one year earlier it was 12.4 percent.

Villalobos said Napa is seeing a hiring increase pushed by agriculture, bars, restaurants, hotels and motels.

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He added there has also been demand in the education and health sectors.

“Usually you will see very little movement in these areas, especially this time of year,” he said.

Villalobos said that while wine and hospitality businesses need more workers as summer approaches, his statistics indicate that demand this year is stronger than in past years.

“But in general, unemployment historically (in Napa) does go down between March and April,” he added.

Executive Director Sandy Elles didn’t argue with state statistics, but was reserved in commenting on the uptick.

“We are not out of the woods yet, despite the increasing demand for workers,” Elles said in a cautious tone of voice.

Napa’s wine industry has always attracted quality farmworkers, beginning in the spring and continuing through to the fall harvest crush, Elles said.

“We value our workforce, and our workers are some of the best in the entire country. They are doing premium work in our vineyards,” Elles said.

There are about 500 jobs in Napa’s hospitality industry that were filled in April, compared to 300 for the same period one year ago.

Villalobos said there is no data to see if all the new jobs will disappear once the tourist season ends.

“It seems like things will remain fairly steady,” he added.

Looking back on the 21 years of data tracking suggests the economy is showing some of its best growth yet, he continued.

 “Our numbers tend to be conservative,” Villalobos said.

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