Unemployment rate drops for third month in a row in Florida

Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June 2010 is 11.4 percent.  This represents 1,056,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,237,000.  The unemployment rate is down 0.3 percentage point from the May rate of 11.7 percent. This is the third consecutive monthly decline in the state’s unemployment rate and the lowest rate since October 2009.  Prior to this year, the last time Florida recorded monthly declines in unemployment rates was February 2006.

Florida’s total nonagricultural employment in June 2010 is 7,232,500, representing a loss of 1,900 jobs (less than 0.1 percent) over the month.  The loss of more than 20,000 Census jobs contributed to the over the month loss.  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 -0.1 percent, a loss of 10,200 jobs.

“This continuing decline in Florida’s unemployment rate is another strong indication that our economy is improving,” said AWI Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo.  “While we recognize that families and businesses, especially those impacted by the Gulf oil spill, continue to face challenges as the nation emerges from recession, this positive indicator should provide hope to Floridians.  With Governor Crist’s leadership, we remain dedicated to seeking opportunities and pursuing all available resources to build on Florida’s economic recovery.”

Grants to Assist Job Seekers

Last month, Governor Crist announced that Florida was awarded a $7 million National Emergency Grant (NEG) to provide job training and employment/reemployment services to workers who have lost jobs as a result of the Gulf oil spill.  The grant will help impacted workers secure jobs in other industries.  Additionally, Florida received a federal $3.46 million On-the-Job Training (OJT) Grant in June to help employers in new and emerging industries access job training for workers and create employment opportunities.  The NEG and OJT grants are being administered by AWI, with programs for job seekers becoming available in the coming weeks.

Response and Recovery Jobs

Governor Crist also unveiled the Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs website in June as part of his continuing commitment to recovery efforts in the Gulf.  A joint venture of AWI and Workforce Florida Inc., in partnership with the state’s Regional Workforce Boards, Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs is the state’s official online “one-stop shop” for job seekers to access available positions related to recovery efforts as employers post them. To date, more than 12,000 positions have been posted. Floridians can also call AWI’s dedicated hotline at 1-877-362-5034 to learn more.

Free Technology Training

As Florida’s economy continues to recover, job seekers interested in improving their digital literacy and competitiveness in today’s increasingly technical job market are encouraged to visit ElevateAmerica.org to apply for no-cost Microsoft technology training and certification vouchers.  The vouchers – 40,000 total – were made available to Floridians by Microsoft^® Elevate America, an innovative partnership between Microsoft and the State of Florida.  Vouchers will be available through Aug. 21, 2010, or while supplies last.  All vouchers must be activated by Aug. 21.

Florida’s Nonagricultural Employment by Industry (Seasonally Adjusted)

• The number of jobs in Florida is 7,232,500 in June 2010, down 10,200 compared to a year ago.  The industry losing the most jobs is construction (-28,000 jobs, -7.2 percent).
• Other industries losing jobs over the year include:  financial activities (-22,000 jobs, -4.5 percent); manufacturing (-10,800 jobs, -3.3 percent); information (-10,300 jobs, -7.2 percent); and leisure and hospitality (-8,700 jobs, -1.0 percent).
• These industry job losses are partially due to weakness in specialty trade contractors; credit intermediation; fabricated metal product manufacturing; telecommunications; and food services and drinking places.
• The industries gaining jobs include: private education and health services (+29,600 jobs, +2.8 percent); total government (+19,800, +1.8 percent); professional and business services (+16,300 jobs, +1.6 percent); trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,900 jobs, +0.1 percent); and other services (+1,900 jobs, +0.6 percent).
• These industry job gains are partially due to ambulatory health care services; federal government; management, scientific, and technical services; general merchandise stores; and membership associations and organizations.

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• In June 2010, Liberty County has the state’s lowest unemployment rate (6.8 percent), followed by Monroe and Walton counties (7.4 percent each); Okaloosa County (7.6 percent); Lafayette County (7.9 percent); and Franklin County (8.0 percent).  Many of the counties with the lowest unemployment rates are those with relatively high proportions of government employment.  Others had seasonal increases in tourism and increases in employment related to the Gulf oil spill.
• Hendry County (16.1 percent) has the highest unemployment rate in Florida in June 2010, followed by Flagler County (15.4 percent), St. Lucie County (14.3 percent), Hernando and Indian River counties (14.2 percent each), and Marion County (13.9 percent).  Most of the counties with the highest unemployment rates in the state experienced seasonal declines in agriculture and related industries.  Others had continued weakness in construction and financial activities.  There are 47 Florida counties with double-digit unemployment rates in June, up from 44 the previous month.

Area Nonagricultural Employment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

• Four metro areas in the state gained jobs.  The Tallahassee metro area (+700 jobs, +0.4 percent); the Gainesville metro area (+600 jobs, +0.5 percent); the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent metro area (+500 jobs, +0.3 percent); and the Palm Coast metro area (+100 jobs, +0.6 percent) gained jobs over the year.  Metro areas with the largest losses include Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach (-27,200 jobs, -1.2 percent); Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (-11,700 jobs, -1.0 percent); and Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (-5,100 jobs, -0.5 percent).

Related posts:

1. Florida unemployment rate goes down slightly
2. Unemployment rate in Florida still creeping up
3. Florida’s unemployment down again; 4200 Gulf jobs available
4. Unemployment increases statewide; Florida has less jobs
5. Florida unemployment rate up to 11 percent; over 98,000 unemployed in Broward

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