JOBWIRE

Exceptional Job Gains in May

While US job growth fizzled last month, California employers were hiring at a healthy clip, adding 33,900 jobs in May, according to the state Employment Development Dept. The EDD also revised its April estimate up by 5500, changing a loss of 4200 jobs to a gain of 1300. Most industry sectors expanded their payroll positions in May, led by Leisure & Hospitality (13,200), Professional & Business Svcs (10,500), and Educational & Health Services (10,500). Job losses were concentrated in Trade, Transportation & Utilities and Government, both down 3300.

CA's unemployment rate dropped a tenth to 10.8 percent, based on a household survey which found 25,000 more people employed and 12,000 fewer counted as unemployed.

On the Job Front

NATIONWIDE – In its bid to hire hundreds of workers this summer, Hertz Equipment Rental Corp is holding an “employment open house” at most locations on June 26-27. Sales reps, mechanics, tractor trailer drivers, yard workers and operations trainees are needed. . . Responding to employee complaints, Apple Inc is raising wages for its US retail staff by up to 25 percent. Apple Stores employ about 24,000 full-timers in the US. . . Wells Fargo will offshore retirement services jobs to India and the Philippines as part of Project Compass, a program to reduce expenses by $11 billion this year. About 98 percent of WF’s 264,000 full-time employees are in the US, with about 49,000 in California.

STATEWIDE – Supervalu Inc has laid off at least 2200 employees from Albertsons grocery stores in California and Nevada. About 800 corporate and regional office jobs were cut nationwide a few months ago.

BAY AREA – The Dept of Labor announced a $6-million grant to continue reemployment services for more than 4800 workers affected by the 2010 closure of the NUMMI auto plant in Fremont.

FOLSOM – Expanding from its State Capitol location, Chops Steak Seafood & Bar just opened in the Palladio center.

LIVERMORE – Albuquerque-based Sandia National Laboratories has opened a cybersecurity research and training facility on the Livermore Valley Open Campus.

MOUNTAIN VIEW – Gigya is poised to expand its business providing social infrastructure apps, with $15.3 million in fresh funding. . . Electronic design automation software firm Breker Verification Systems Inc has raised $3.9 million.

PALO ALTO – Online video-editing software maker WeVideo is moving from Sunnyvale to a much larger location, with plans to double or triple its staff of 15 over the next 18 mos.

SACRAMENTO – The Pour House, a bar, restaurant and lounge is opening at 19th & Q on July 1. . . Chando’s Tacos, a popular street-style taco stand, will open its first restaurant on Power Inn Road on July 7. . . Siemens Rail Systems builds one of every three light-rail vehicles ordered in North America. But that’s not enough to avoid 44 layoffs at the local manufacturing plant, which employs about 800.

SAN FRANCISCO – Having raised $25 million, Invuity Inc, which makes sophisticated surgical lighting instruments, plans to double its staff of 30 within a year. . . With $12 million in new funding, Dropcam Inc, maker of high-def Wi-Fi monitoring cameras, has its eye on expanding the software engineering team. . . Enterprise security tech specialist Bluebox has secured $9.5 million in venture capital.

SAN JOSE – With $70 million in new venture funding, Nanosolar Inc will be hiring at its local solar cell printing factory. . . Avidbank just opened a new loan office here.

SANTA CLARA – Infoblox Inc is doubling the size of its HQ here. The developer of network infrastructure software and hardware for data centers has about 500 employees.

SUNNYVALE – Credit Sesame, which offers a free credit-monitoring service to consumers, is hiring marketing and engineering talent after raising $12 million. . . Endace Limited is opening an office here to be a global product and marketing hub for its network monitoring and security services. The New Zealand firm has US headquarters in Chantilly, VA.