State economists think the Kern County job market looks rosy despite the unemployment rate hitting 11.5%.

Labor market analyst Rosendo Flores says a drop off in seasonal ag work usually bumps up that number this time of year, which can affect other companies that supply that industry. Flores says our March unemployment rate is the best it has been since 2008, and that we added 2,300 more permanent positions since last year.

Kelli Forsch