Index Value: 1.64
Job Postings: 14,930
Change from Third Quarter: -4.4%

Unemployment: 43,197
Change from Third Quarter: -9.1%

In the fourth quarter of 2009, the Nebraska WFI improved to 1.64, a shift less substantial than the previous quarter, but still in the right direction. The change from the prior quarter indicates that while there are still more job seekers than available jobs, the gap continues to close.

The number of job postings for the fourth quarter decreased across all but two career fields: Health Science and Human Services. Manufacturing, which had turned around last quarter, posted a decline that wiped out all third quarter gains.Seasonal adjustments in the Hospitality and Construction sectors also mitigated third quarter gains. The declines posted in the other contracting sectors were not significant enough to counteract the increases of last quarter. Health Science posted a 5% increase and Human Services showed an almost 1% increase.

The following industries saw job postings increase the most / decrease the least from Third Quarter:

• Health Science: +5.2%
• Human Services: +0.6%
• Arts, A/V Technology and Communication: -1.9%
• Finance and Insurance: -4.4%
• Business and Administration: -4.6%

The following industries saw job postings decrease the most from Third Quarter:

• Architecture and Construction: -29.4%
• Manufacturing: -23.2%
• Scientific Research/Engineering: -19.8%
• Government and Public Administration: -19.2%
• Law and Public Safety: -18.6%

Figure 1: Job Postings, Number of Unemployed, WFI

Job openings; WFI

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Third Quarter - 2009

Second Quarter - 2009