Most of the cuts in Ohio were concentrated in the consumer products and transportation industries, mimicking the national trend, Challenger reported.
So far this year, consumer products firms have led all others in job cuts, announcing 16,320 through February, up more than 350 percent from the same period last year.
The transportation sector came in second, announcing 15,835 job cuts so far this year, up from just over 2,000 through the first two months of 2011.
Combined, the two sectors have accounted for about 31 percent of all job cuts announced this year, Challenger said.
“Surging job cuts in consumer products and transportation are particularly worrisome,” said Challenger CEO John Challenger.
While job cuts have accelerated in consumer products and transportation, the government sector — which dominated layoff announcements at this time last year — announced 84 percent fewer job cuts last month compared to a year earlier.
“It is too soon to say that the government sector is out of the woods when it comes to layoffs,’’ Challenger said. “However, recent gains in employment across many states are undoubtedly helping to boost payroll tax revenue.”
In addition, a separate report from payrolls processor ADP found that private employers added 216,000 workers last month.
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