Florida’s unemployment down again; 4200 Gulf jobs available

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2010 is 11.7 percent.  This represents 1,086,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,272,000.  The unemployment rate is down 0.3 percentage point from the April rate of 12.0 percent.  This was the second monthly decline in the state’s unemployment rate since February 2006.

Florida’s total nonagricultural employment in May 2010 is 7,224,900, representing a gain of 20,300 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the month. This is the third monthly gain in jobs this year since early 2007.  Florida’s annual rate of job loss has continued to moderate with the steepest rate of decline at -6.9 percent in March 2009 compared to the current -0.7 percent, a loss of 50,300 jobs.

“A growing number of positive indicators, including an increase in job opportunities and a decline in the unemployment rate, provide continued evidence that the state’s economy is recovering,” said Agency for Workforce Innovation Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo.  “With the leadership of Governor Crist, we remain focused on providing resources to Florida’s families and supporting employers as our economic climate improves.”

Positive Indicators

Lower Unemployment – Along with Florida’s decrease of 0.3 percentage point from April to May, the May national unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage point from the previous month to 9.7 percent.

Increased Employment – Along with Florida’s increase of 20,300 jobs, national nonagricultural employment increased by 431,000 jobs over the month.  Most of this growth is due to census hiring.

Expected Employment Growth – According to the international economic forecasting company IHS Global Insight, the number of employed workers in Florida is expected to grow 2.36 percent for each of the next five years.

Fewer Unemployment Claims – According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number of customers filing for first time unemployment compensation benefits in May fell nationally for the third straight month.

Gulf Recovery Jobs

In his continued commitment to recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, Governor Crist this week announced the launch of Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs, a Web site that allows job seekers to search and apply directly for jobs related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  Statewide, there are more than 4,200 Gulf recovery-related positions listed on floridagulfrecoveryjobs.com. Some response and recovery jobs require special training, for which job seekers may receive a stipend. More than 2,400 workers have already been trained and are eligible to begin filling these positions, including 302 who are already participating in Florida’s recovery efforts.

Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs is a coordinated effort of AWI and Workforce Florida Inc., in partnership with the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards and 93 One-Stop Career Centers. Floridians are encouraged to visit the site or call 877-362-5034 to learn more about available jobs related to response and recovery efforts.  Job seekers may also visit their local One-Stop Career Center for information about these and other employment opportunities in their communities.  To find the closest One-Stop, job seekers can visit floridajobs.org/onestop/onestopdir/index.htm.

United States and Florida Unemployment Rates (seasonally adjusted)

	Source:  Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics Center, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Florida’s Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)

• The number of jobs in Florida is 7,224,900 in May 2010, down 50,300 compared to a year ago.  The industry losing the most jobs is construction (-39,100 jobs, -9.8 percent).
• Other industries losing jobs over the year include:  financial activities (-22,700 jobs, -4.7 percent); leisure and hospitality (-21,400 jobs, -2.3 percent); manufacturing (-14,700 jobs, -4.5 percent); information (-11,200 jobs, -7.8 percent); trade, transportation, and utilities (-6,100 jobs, -0.4 percent); professional and business services (-4,300 jobs, -0.4 percent); and other services (-500 jobs, -0.2 percent).
• These industry job losses are partially due to weakness in specialty trade contractors; credit intermediation; food services and drinking places; fabricated metal product manufacturing; telecommunications and publishing; automobile dealers; employment services; and repair and maintenance.
• Total government (+38,800, +3.5 percent) and private education and health services (+31,000 jobs, +2.9 percent) are the only sectors gaining jobs among Florida’s major industries.  Most of the increase in government is due to federal government.  Most of the increase in private education and health services is due to health care and social assistance (+25,600 jobs, +2.8 percent), primarily in ambulatory health care services.  Private education services increased by 5,400 jobs (+3.8 percent) over the year.

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• In May 2010, Liberty County has the state’s lowest unemployment rate (6.4 percent), followed by Monroe County (7.1 percent); Lafayette, Okaloosa, and Walton counties (7.4 percent each); Alachua County (7.5 percent); and Leon County (7.6 percent).  Many of the counties with the lowest unemployment rates are those with relatively high proportions of government employment.
• Flagler County (15.1 percent) has the highest unemployment rate in Florida in May 2010, followed by Hernando County (13.8 percent), Hendry County (13.7 percent), Marion County (13.6 percent), and St. Lucie County (13.5 percent).  Most of the counties with the highest unemployment rates in the state experienced continued weakness in construction, manufacturing, and financial activities.  There are 44 Florida counties with double-digit unemployment rates in May, down from 46 the previous month.

Area Nonagricultural Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• Three metro areas in the state gained jobs.  The Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metro area (+700 jobs, +0.4 percent); the Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach metro area (+300 jobs, +0.4 percent); and the Tallahassee metro area (+200 jobs, +0.1 percent) gained jobs over the year.  The Crestview-Ft. Walton Beach-Destin metro area was unchanged over the year.  Metro areas with the largest losses include Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach (-29,000 jobs, -1.3 percent); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (-15,100 jobs, -1.3 percent); and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (-13,500 jobs, -1.3 percent).

Related posts:

1. Unemployment increases statewide; Florida has less jobs
2. Unemployment rate drops for third month in a row in Florida
3. Florida unemployment rate goes down slightly
4. Unemployment rate in Florida still creeping up
5. Florida Gulf oil spill jobs website launched

Short URL: https://browardnetonline.com/?p=8577