Right now may not be the best time for those searching for Cleveland jobs. In May the city’s unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent from April’s 6.2 percent. This means that the Cleveland now has the highest jobless percentage in Ohio. Since this figure is well over the national average of 5.5 percent, jobseekers in the area are likely experiencing more difficulty than most.

In a recent public address at Cleveland’s City Club, Governor Ted Strickland expressed his concerns about that current job situation. Despite current problems he stated that he believes that Ohio’s economy will pull through and manage to survive the national recession that many are feeling apprehensive about.

He went on to discuss how his plans for tax reform measures will attract both corporations and new jobs to Cleveland and the rest of the state. During this part of his speech he mentioned the city’s thriving medical and bio-science sector, stating that this area is part of the transformation that will take place in Cleveland’s economy.

Gov. Strickland believes that the job stimulus package he is currently supporting will make a huge difference for those searching for employment. This initiative will dedicate more than $1.5 billion in order to create new jobs throughout Ohio.

In his address, Strickland also mentioned the problems that the rising cost of gas are causing Ohio residents. He stated that he is unhappy with the fact that federal government has yet to action to fix this problem. He went on to say that he believes that the condition has reached the level that requires being declared a national emergency.

Workers aren’t the only ones feeling the pain at the pump. Gas prices are causing many employers to decrease their payrolls in order to remain profitable. Continental Airlines, for example, announced on June 5th that it will doing away with approximately 3,000 jobs.

Although the company has yet to say how these cuts will be divided between pilots, flight attendants and other employees, it has mentioned that Cleveland will be one of the areas that will experience some of the greatest reductions. Continental workers are now being offered a year’s worth of health insurance coverage and various travel perks in exchange for volunteering to leave the company.

Labels: Cleveland Jobs