The Weyburn area has continued its dramatic drop in Employment Insurance claims for males as claims numbers are down 196 (or 60.5 per cent) from a year ago and down 60 (31.9 per cent) from May.

The continued decline in claims comes as a result of seasonal jobs in agriculture and construction.

Although male claims continue to drop, female claims increased by three (4.1 per cent) from May but were down three (3.8 per cent) from a year ago.

The increase in female claims came from the social sciences, education and government fields as teachers are finding themselves between jobs.

Primary Industry was the group that saw the biggest decrease in claims as 94 less people filed from a year ago. Trades, transportation and equipment operation groups saw the next largest decline as 83 fewer claims were filed. Those two groups alone accounted for most of the decrease in male claims. Processing, manufacturing and utilities also showed a significant decline from a year ago with 10 fewer claims and one less than May.

Just like last month oil field jobs made a significant increase and now sit below the lowest levels of the last oil industry boom with 35 claims. The previous low for the category had 42 claims in December of 1997.

June numbers reflect the recovery some agricultural equipment manufacturers are seeing through increased export sales.

Age groups showing the biggest decreases in claims from a year ago were males 20-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and women 45-54.

The biggest increase from this time last year came with females 15-19, 20-24 and 35-44.

Female claims also carried the largest increase from last month with the 20-24, 35-44 and 55-64 age ranges topping the numbers.