Magic Pot of Jobs

While jobs in New York increased during August, the state’s unemployment rate also increased.

Private sector employment in New York state increased by 3,000 jobs, or less than .1 percent, to 7,261,200 jobs. However, the state’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2 percent in July to 5.8 percent in August. According to a press release from the New York State Department of Labor, this is the state’s highest unemployment level since June 2004, and the highest monthly increase in unemployment in more than 17 years.

“New York State’s labor market indicators reported mixed signals in August,” Peter A. Neenan, director of the Division of Research and Statistics, said in the release. “Although the state did add 3,000 private sector jobs, the unemployment rate increased from 5.2 percent in July to 5.8 percent in August. This 0.6 percentage point jump represented the largest monthly increase in the state’s rate since January 1991.”

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Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is expanding its warehousing and distribution operations in Indiana, a plan that should create 80 new healthcare jobs during the next year.

The company develops medical diagnostic products, and markets those products to help diagnose such problems as diabetes, allergies and cardiovascular disease. The expansion will consist of consolidating the company’s distribution operations from other states into an existing 300,000-square-foot facility in Plainfield, a suburb of Indianapolis, according to a press release.

“We’re demonstrating again today the ambition we have to further position Indiana as a leader in the logistics and life sciences industries,” Governor Mitch Daniels said in the release. “Siemens’ continued commitment to Indiana further strengthens our position as a hub for these growing industries.”

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An energy-conscious company will soon open a new facility, creating 300 Pennsylvania jobs.

Flabeg, a German-based company that produces high-tech glass and mirror applications, will soon open its first solar mirror production facility in the U.S. in Alleghany County, creating 300 Pennsylvania jobs.

The facility will be used to manufacture parabolic solar mirrors used to help generate electricity at large solar power plants, according to a press release from the State of Pennsylvania.

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One Arizona school district is taking steps to make sure its volunteers are qualified to work in an educational setting.

Higley Unified School District set guidelines last week for completing background checks on people who want to volunteer at school events.

The school district is starting a pilot program for volunteers, which will group people depending on the type of interaction they will have with students, according to an article by The Arizona Republic. In January 2009, school board members will evaluate the program and decipher how much it will cost the school district.

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