New positions in California will be created during 2011, as unemployment drops, new predictions claims.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the state's economy is expected to recover next year, with the labor market showing signs of improvement.

The newspaper points to two studies from specialists at Chapman University in Orange and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as pointing to an improvement in the labor market during 2011.

With a high jobless rate currently in place, the two forecasts are likely to be welcomed by those seeking work, with exports and technology anticipated to drive forward employment creation.

Jerry Nickelsburg, a UCLA senior economist, stated: "The growth sectors in manufacturing are computers and electronics, medical devices and aerospace components."

UCLA experts expect 183,000 roles will be added in the state in 2011 and a fall in joblessness, while those from Chapman University anticipate 167,000 new posts.

Meanwhile, the Conference Board's Employment Trends Index recently indicated the US labor market rose to a two-year high during November 2010, up from 97.6 in October to 99.

Posted by Fiona Summers