Last month, nonfarm jobs in the U.S. increased by 517,000 – well above the market estimate of 187,000. The sector with the greatest increase was leisure and hospitality with 128,000 positions.

In addition, the jobless rate dropped to 3.4% – lower than the estimated 3.6%.

Meanwhile, our latest employment and training findings are in Alabama, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Utah.

Check them out.

From Alabama: Selma Times-Journal reports Resicum International LLC is opening an aviation operations hub and training facility in Selma – providing flight training and maintenance support to government, commercial, and general aviation customers.

From Illinois: Rockford Register Star reports a grant will support an aviation mechanics workforce development training program at the Chicago Rockford International Airport – funding 80 apprenticeships.

From Pennsylvania: HR Dive reports Pennsylvania is ending its four-year degree requirement for many state jobs.

From Puerto Rico: EPA announces a Rochester, New York-based organization is using $500,00 to train up to 120 students in Puerto Rico and place at least 80 in environmental jobs with focus on community revitalization and cleanup projects at brownfield sites.

From Utah: St. George News reports Utah Tech University is providing access to residents to free tech skills courses.

Did you miss our previous Back to Work stories from around the country? Catch up here.