The statewide survey found that 51% of employed Californians are experiencing heavier workloads and 53% have less job security than they did before the state's economic woes and recession took its toll.

ATTENTION EDITORS: A panel discussion with Jack Kyser, chief economist at the Kyser Center for Economic Research at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.; David Smith, associate dean and professor of economics at Pepperdine University; Daisy Swan, career strategist with Daisy Swan & Associates; and John Andrews, regional vice president of Everest College, will be held today at 10 a.m. PDT to discuss the survey's findings. To listen live, please visit http://news.everest.edu/ and click on the California Labor Day Survey link or call (877) 570-6091 or (702) 696- 4824 (international). The conference ID number is 22941914. Questions may be posed to panelists in advance by emailing them to moderator Evan Pondel at epondel@pondel.com. A replay of the panel will be available for 90 days following the live call and can be accessed by visiting the California Labor Day Survey link located at http://news.everest.edu/.

With the state's unemployment rate leaping to a record high of 11.9% in July, its highest level in more than half a century, many Californians are seeking solutions to cope with a bleak employment picture, according to the survey.

The economic slump and challenging job environment in California have caused 43% of those who are employed and 50% of those who are unemployed to consider returning to school, the survey said. Specifically, 29% of employed Californians have considered returning to school to obtain skills for a new career and 27% have considered returning to school to enhance their careers.

"California's budgetary woes are compounded by the country's recession, creating a perfect storm for workers throughout the state," said John Andrews, regional vice president of operations at Everest College.