Labor Market Solutions

SAN ANTONIO MSA

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Alamo WorkSource is committed to providing access to timely, accurate and relevant labor market information. Our staff regularly analyzes local economic and labor market information, examining industry and occupation growth trends, wage data, labor force information, economic indicators, etc.

Knowing about economic and labor market conditions is the foundation for Workforce and economic development efforts. It can help employers gain an understanding of the competition and what it takes to find and keep quality, skilled employees.

SEASONAL HIRING LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO JOB GAINS FOR SA REGION
Workforce Solutions Alamo releases June Labor Market Report

(July 16, 2010) San Antonio, Texas – Workforce Solutions Alamo released information this morning indicating that the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area job market experienced job growth as Total Nonagricultural Employment grew by 2,300 jobs (0.3 percent) to 838,100 during June. Meanwhile, the San Antonio metro area unemployment rate increased to 7.7 percent in June, up from 7.1 percent in May, an expected trend for this time of year.

Job expansion was primarily caused by seasonal hiring in Leisure & Hospitality services with an increase of 2,200 jobs, a 2.2 percent change. Construction and Professional and Business Services also aided job growth with over-the-month job gains of 900 jobs each, a 2.0 percent and 0.9 percent change respectively. Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 600 jobs over-the-month for a 0.4 percent change, and Financial Activities continued to add jobs with an additional 300 jobs over-the-month, a 0.5 percent change. Government reported the largest decrease in jobs, a negative -2,400 as Census workers temporary jobs and public school seasonal jobs were closed out. Education and Health services lost -800 jobs, a negative -0.6 percent change, but continues to report an annual growth rate of 1,300 jobs, or a positive 1.1 percent change.

“There are a lot of good signs in this month’s preliminary report. Construction, Professional and Business Services, and Financial Activities all show positive over-the-month gains-- an economic indicator of good news for our region.” said Chakib Chehadi, Executive Director of Workforce Solutions Alamo. “The jump in the unemployment rate is not surprising. Historically, the June unemployment rate trends up for our region as more people enter the labor force and the number of unemployed increases.”

Manufacturing continued positive gains with another 100 jobs added, and Other Services contributed 500 jobs over-the-month. There were no job number changes reported for the Information industry.

When the 12-county Workforce Solutions Alamo area is compared to the State and Nation, the Texas unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate increased to 8.5 percent in June, up from 8.0 percent reported in May. The nation’s unemployment rate increased to 9.6 percent in June, up from 9.3 percent reported in May. Comparatively, the state and national seasonally adjusted unemployment rates both decreased and registered 8.2 and 9.5 percent respectively in June.

The mission of Workforce Solutions Alamo is to build a premier workforce in America by providing employers and residents with the opportunities, resources and services to develop and gain a competitive edge in the global economy. Workforce Solutions Alamo reaches over 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents in the City of San Antonio and the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Gillespie, Karnes, Kerr, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties. For more information on available workforce programs and services, visit our website at www.WorkforceSolutionsAlamo.org.

Note: Only the actual/unadjusted series unemployment rate estimates for Texas and the US are comparable to sub-state unemployment rates, taking into account seasonal changes. Adjusted rates are calculated by smoothing out the changes in unemployment due to the typical seasonal hiring’s and layoffs.