Rural Capital Area Unemployment Rate Decreases to 3.4% in October
Nov 21, 2023
WSRCA Team
CEDAR PARK, Texas ⎯ In October 2023, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the Rural Capital Area of Central Texas decreased to 3.4 percent, according to data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today. This means that 3.4 percent of the workforce in the nine-county Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) were actively seeking employment, totaling 22,312 residents. Additionally, there were more than 18,983 job openings available online across various industries*.
Since October 2022, the local labor force has grown by 21,407 residents, with 18,133 of them successfully finding employment within the area. In October, the unemployment rates in the WSRCA counties were as follows:
- Blanco: 2.8 percent
- Burnet: 3.0 percent (down from 3.2 percent in September)
- Hays: 3.3 percent (down from 3.5 percent in September)
- Lee County: 3.4 percent (down from 3.5 percent in September)
- Williamson County: 3.5 percent (down from 3.7 percent in September)
- Bastrop County: 3.3 percent (down from 3.5 percent in September)
- Fayette County: 3.3 percent (down from 3.6 percent in September)
- Caldwell: 3.3 percent (down from 3.6 percent in September)
- Llano County: 3.6 percent (down from 3.8 percent in September)
The Trade, Transportation and Utilities sector experienced the highest employment growth in the Second Quarter of 2023, demonstrating a noteworthy increase of 22.8 percent, followed by Education and Health Services (21.8%). Other sectors also showed job gains, including Natural Resources and Mining (3.9 percent), Leisure and Hospitality (5.9 percent), and Construction (4.2 percent).
In comparison to the statewide unemployment rate, decreased to 3.8 percent**, the region's unemployment figures in October remained lower. The local rate is lower than the national rate, which is at 3.9 percent**.
For detailed information regarding regional unemployment claims based on demographics, skills impact, and specific zip codes, please refer to the resources provided by TWC.
The WSRCA team is here to assist you in finding workforce solutions. You can visit a nearby Rural Capital Area career center or access virtual services for immediate workforce needs. Take advantage of the Interactive Skill-Based Career Progression Lattices to create a personalized training plan and boost your skills for long-lasting career success.
If you're in search of employment, consider joining the Workforce Wednesdays Virtual Career Expo, where job seekers and employers connect on a weekly basis, or the Metro Area Job Fair which is held in person on the second Tuesday of each month at the Workforce Solutions of Williamson County Workforce Center in Round Rock. Employers interested in hosting hiring booths and interview sessions can reach out to the WSRCA Business Services Team at businessservices@ruralcapital.net.
Elevate your skills and marketability for local high-demand careers through WSRCA's partnerships, which offer access to over 20,000 free online courses via SkillUp Rural Capital and LinkedIn Learning.
The WSRCA Child Care Services Team is available to provide eligible families with early-learning child care tuition scholarships and professional development opportunities. Child care assistance is open to job seekers, workers, and individuals undergoing training for high-demand careers. Enroll in local child care programs to receive support and financial relief. Apply today at: https://bit.ly/childcarehelpnow.
For further information, visit WSRCA at www.workforcesolutionsrca.com, call toll-free at 1-844-344-2780, and start your job search at www.workintexas.com.
Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit texaslmi.com.
*Source: JobsEQ® - Online job postings across nine counties active from 8/01/2023 to 9/15/2023
**All unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.
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About Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) develops talent for employers by coaching Texans to employment. WSRCA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community partnership providing comprehensive no-cost recruitment, employment services, and early-learning child care tuition scholarships to empower employers and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of Central Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, and Williamson counties. WSRCA helps employers find quality candidates by providing candidate referrals, customized job training programs, job listings, job fair assistance, labor market information, testing and assessment, outplacement services, and layoff aversion strategies. WSRCA guides job seekers to find and retain employment by providing job referrals, job application assistance, job readiness and job search workshops, career exploration, child care assistance, unemployment insurance information, and GED assistance.
