FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2012
CONTACT: DEO Communications, (850) 617-5600, media@deo.myflorida.com
Overall Job Trend is Positive Despite Slight Uptick in Unemployment Rate
More than 130,000 private sector jobs created since December 2010, and
Florida leads the nation in online ads
TALLAHASSEE— Florida’s unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage point in July, to 8.8 percent. Amid this fluctuating month-to-month unemployment rate, the state has continued to see positive annual job growth for 24 consecutive months. Additionally, Florida has gained more than 130,000 private sector jobs since December 2010, and led the nation in July in online job ads gained over the month. Florida was also one of only eight states in the nation that saw an increase in job demand.
“While the unemployment rate can vary from month to month, Florida continues to see positive private sector job growth,” said Governor Rick Scott. “My goal remains the same, to make Florida the number one business destination in the world by improving the state’s economic climate, highlighting our talented and skilled workforce and getting Floridians back to work.”
Since Governor Scott has been in office, the state’s unemployment rate has dropped 2.3 percentage points and has seen an increase of 130,700 private sector jobs. According to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, consumer confidence in Florida rose in July due to improved perceptions of personal finances and was at the highest level since the end of the recession in December 2009, and state revenue projections have continued to improve.
Job demand increases
According to the Help Wanted OnLine data series from The Conference Board, Florida job postings in July 2012 led the nation in over-the-month growth in job demand with more than 264,000 openings, and increased by almost 30,000 openings compared to July 2011. Major occupational groups with the most online ads in July were sales and related occupations; healthcare practitioners and technical occupations; office and administrative support occupations; and computer and mathematical occupations.
Positive workforce trends
- Florida’s unemployment rate has declined year over year for 20 consecutive months
- Florida’s unemployment rate has declined or held steady for 12 of the last 13 months
- Florida’s job growth month to month has been positive for 10 of the last 13 months
Workforce Boards assisting more Floridians
Also in July, the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards reported that more than 25,000 Floridians were placed in jobs. Of these individuals, 6,400 previously received reemployment assistance. Since January, 205,000 individuals were placed in jobs, with more than 46,000 former claimants finding employment.
Statewide trends improving
Florida also saw positive trends in housing, exports and reemployment assistance claims. Florida housing starts were up over the year by 26.2 percent, while median home prices were up over the month by 2.7 percent and up over the year by 8.2 percent. Through June 2012, Florida-origin exports are 6.4 percent ahead of the same period last year, a gain of $1.9 billion year-to-date. Initial claims for reemployment assistance benefits were down by 25.0 percent from one year ago while continued claims were down from an average of 553,000 in December 2010 to 327,000 in July 2012, a 41 percent decrease.
“Under Governor Scott’s leadership, we have seen positive trends in various areas of our economy, including a decrease in the number of reemployment assistance claims,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Hunting F. Deutsch. “Our collaboration with our workforce partners around the state is bringing innovative initiatives that are providing job seekers with the skills they need to be successful in the workforce.”
To view the July 2012 monthly employment data visit:
www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.
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