Randstad (01/11/12) Summers, Fiona
The manufacturing sector saw 23,000 net new workers take up positions in the U.S. in the final month of 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately 334,000 new jobs have been created in manufacturing since December 2009. On average, those in the manufacturing sector were working 40.5 hours each week in December 2011, which was up from 40.4 hours in November. The National Association of Manufacturers says the December 2011 figures were boosted by the durable goods sector.