California Unemployment Lowest In Nearly Six Years, But Numbers Might Not Tell Whole Story
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — California's unemployment rate fell in April to 7.8 percent, but critics contend that number isn't telling the whole story.
Friday's numbers mark the first time in nearly six years it's dipped below 8 percent. In all, the state has added more than 1.3 million jobs since 2010. Despite that bump, it still lags behind the national average of 6.4 percent.
California employment officials say the new rates only measure those who are employed and those who aren't. Those figures don't include people who may have given up on looking for a job.
Despite the fact the outlook is looking brighter, experts say there's still a ways to go.
A homeless man CBS13 spoke to on Friday has been searching for a job for the past three years without any luck.
"Nobody wants to hire a homeless person," he said. "It's really frustrating; it's a full-time job looking for a job."
He's homeless, because he can't find a job. So every single day, he comes to the Employment Development looking and applying for jobs.
"I'm just waiting for a company to actually say yes to all my interviews. but they all say no," he said.
Video from EDD offices in December 2013 shows a packed lobby, but on Friday, it was a much different picture.
EDD says even though there has been positive growth, there is still room for improvement.
Derek John, another job seeker, certainly hopes so.
"The rejection pile is pretty large, sending them out constantly, just kind of hopeful, hoping for the best," he said.
He's been unemployed for two years. He just moved to Sacramento from Portland, Oregon, and he's hoping he'll have better luck here.
