Government job losses offset private sector gains
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Texas continues to feel the pressures of a stagnant national economy.
Private sector gains were offset by Government losses of 9400 jobs in August including 11500 jobs lost in Local Government" said Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken. Texas has experienced positive annual job growth in the past 16 months with annual
growth rates above 2.0 for the last three consecutive months.
- Texas private sector continued to grow in August adding 8100 jobs.
- Texas total (nonfarm) employment was up over the year for a total gain of 253200 nonfarm jobs despite declining by 1300 jobs in August.
This most recent annual growth brings total nonfarm jobs in Texas to 10615000.
Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.5 in August up slightly from 8.4 in July and below the national unemployment rate of 9.1.
- Following a revised increase of 3300 jobs in July Education & Health Services added 9600 jobs in August. The industry has added 42100 jobs since August 2010.
- The Trade Transportation & Utilities industry lost 4600 jobs in August but added 49600 jobs over the year.
- Professional & Business Services added 4200 jobs in August growing by 49100 positions over the year for an annual job growth rate of 3.8 .
- Jobs in Manufacturing grew by 1200 positions last month adding 20700 positions since August 2010.
Although we saw some government job losses this month Texas continues to be a great place to find work" said TWC Commissioner Representing
Labor Ronny Congleton. We encourage those who are looking for work to use the many tools and services offered by TWC to find the right fit for them."
Six of the 11 major industries in Texas gained jobs in August and all but two continued to show gains over the year. The private sector in Texas has added 272200 jobs during the same time period.
TWC stands ready to connect workers with available jobs and since January weve added 144000 jobs in Texas" said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar.
The Texas labor force which now stands at nearly 12.3 million individuals is evidence of Texas growth and our 28 local workforce boards are committed to providing the best job-search assistance and services needed to get Texans back to work."
The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest August unemployment rate in the state at 4.8. The Amarillo MSA came in second at 5.9 and the Odessa MSA third at 6.5 (not seasonally adjusted).
Audio downloads from
TWC Chairman Tom Pauken on the latest labor market data are available at the following link:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/news/press/2011/praudio11.html.
