The Nevada area has been plagued by high unemployment, and Vegas unemployment remains critically high, according to recent figures from the BLS.

Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 297 of the 372
metropolitan areas, higher in 54 areas, and unchanged in 21 areas, the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Twelve areas recorded jobless rates
of at least 15.0 percent, while 16 areas registered rates of less than 5.0
percent. Two hundred thirty-seven metropolitan areas reported over-the-year
increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 126 reported decreases, and 9 had no
change. The national unemployment rate in April was 8.7 percent, not seasonally
adjusted, down from 9.5 percent a year earlier.
(more…)

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said 146 workers had been given notice they would be out of work by mid-June, eliminating several much-needed city jobs in Las Vegas.

Goodman also admitted that he did not have the legal authority to fire and rehire city workers.

According to Fox5Vegas, the layoffs were announced as the city sought to trim $70 million from its budget for the fiscal year 2011.

With union leaders unwilling to agree to an across the board 8 percent pay cut, Goodman floated the idea of firing all city workers and rehiring them for less money.

(more…)

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, the federal government is sending nearly $4.7 million in economic stimulus money to Nevada for computer training centers, a move that will help many with their job search in Las Vegas.

The grant, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is being given to the Clark County Urban League to expand capacity at 14 existing computer centers and create 15 new centers, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in a conference call from Washington, D.C.

The Department of Commerce has handed out 11 grants totaling $42 million for computer training centers throughout the United States, the secretary said.

(more…)