(OCALA, Fla.) 0- Workforce Connection`s regional unemployment rate was 10.6 percent in July, up 0.4 percent over the month but down 2.1 percent from one year ago. Out of an expanded labor force of 206,753, there were 21,866 jobless or 4,586 fewer unemployed than this time last year. The July 2012 unemployment rates, released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, were 10.5 percent in Marion County, up 0.2 percent over the month; 10.8 percent in Citrus County, up 0.5 percent; and 10.3 percent in Levy County, up 0.5 percent. Florida`s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in July and the United States rate was 8.6 percent.
Workforce Connection CEO Rusty Skinner said that the unemployment data for July again shows expected month-by-month fluctuations of the overall economy. All of Florida`s 67 counties` unemployment rates declined over the year, while 66 counties` unemployment rates rose over the month. "Summer months are traditionally uneven," Skinner said. "Combined with the uncertainty of our national economy, the sluggish employment response will probably continue through the end of the presidential election cycle." When viewed in the long-term, Skinner noted that each county in the region shows job growth. "Marion shows a growth of 2,700 more people working from one year ago, Citrus shows 500 more in employment and Levy employment is up by about 160," Skinner said. In July, nonagricultural employment in the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area was 89,700, an increase of 0.4 percent or 1,100 jobs over the year. Seven major industries gained jobs over the year, led by leisure and hospitality and education and health services (+500 jobs each); professional and business services (+200 jobs); and manufacturing, trade, transportation, and utilities, financial activities, and other services (+100 jobs each).
The one industry that lost jobs over the year was mining, logging, and construction (-500 jobs), while information and governmental remained unchanged over the year. When it comes to gauging economic recovery, both Skinner and DEO`s Rebecca Rust, the state`s chief economist, emphasized that it is important to track the trend, not the monthly blips. The region`s July rate was 2.1 percentage points lower than the year-ago rate of 12.7 percent when there were 25,947 jobless and 3.0 percentage points lower than July 2010 when 26,534 were out of work. "The change is very minor in terms of the long term," Rust said. "There needs to be a change in the same direction for at least four months, consecutively, to be a trend." Rust cited movements she described as "positive indicators," including a decline in the number of job losers, and increase in percentage of those who have left jobs voluntarily as well as those re-entering the labor force. The increase in job leavers is up from 6.7 percent to 7.1 percent, Rust said, and shows "they are feeling more optimistic, so they`re voluntarily leaving" to shift careers, go back to school, or retire. Across the region, the labor force grew by 843 to 206,753, the number of unemployed dropped by 461 and the number of those with jobs increased by 69 to 184,887 over the month. Here is the breakdown for each county: · Citrus County`s labor force decreased by 23 over the month to 55,664, the number of employed fell by 259 to 49,676 and those without jobs increased by 236 to 5,988. One year ago, there were 6,989 unemployed. · Levy County`s labor force increased by 39 to 16,765, employment is down by 38 jobs to 15,044 and the number of unemployed rose by 77 to 1,721. In June 2011, there were 2,084 jobless. · Marion County`s labor force grew by 827 to 134,324, the number with jobs increased by 366 to 120,167 and those unemployed increased by 461 to 14,157. In July 2011, there were 17,379 without jobs. Marion County`s unemployment rate dropped from 12th to 15th, Citrus County`s fell from 10th to 12th and Levy County dropped back one place to 18th. The Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) remained the fifth highest among the state`s 23 MSAs, behind Palm Coast with 12.7 percent, Sebastian-Vero Beach with 12.2 percent, Port St. Lucie with 11.7 percent and Lakeland-Winter Haven at 10.6 percent. Workforce Connection is the local, business-led organization dedicated to connecting qualified workers with local employers in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties through cost-effective, high-quality employment, training and education services in collaboration with business, community, education, economic development and government partners. On average, 36,000 job seekers and 1,500 businesses receive services at no charge each year.
Since November 2011, when Florida`s regional workforce boards began reporting monthly job placements to DEO, Workforce Connection has consistently ranked among the top regions, with 5,240 job placements of which 1,247 or 23.8 percent had been receiving reemployment assistance (unemployment compensation).
To obtain a full copy of the July 2012 unemployment reports or to find out more about upcoming events and services, visit ww.clmworkforce.com or call 1-800-434-JOBS, ext. 1234. |
