Topeka ? State labor officials say Kansas businesses added nearly 16,000 jobs in April, with construction showing the biggest gain.

The Kansas Department of Labor also reports the state’s unemployment rate fell to 6.3 percent last month, down from 6.9 percent in March.

The department issued its monthly employment report Friday. Officials said Kansas typically gains about 10,000 jobs from March to April, well below this year’s figure of 15,900.

Eight of the 11 major industries reported job growth from March to April, with construction adding 6,100 jobs. The labor department says it’s the first time since June 2008 that construction has gained jobs compared to the same month a year earlier.

Professional and business services added 4,200 jobs in April, with most of the gains in administrative and support services.