Rural Capital Area Unemployment Rate Steady at 3.9% in August
Sep 15, 2023
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
CEDAR PARK, Texas ⎯ In August 2023, the unadjusted unemployment rate in the Rural Capital Area of Central Texas remained steady at 3.9 percent, according to data released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) today. This means that 3.9 percent of the workforce in the nine-county Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) were actively seeking employment, totaling 25,788 residents. Additionally, there were more than 26,983 job openings available online across various industries*.
Since August 2022, the local labor force has grown by 22,078 residents, with 15,689 of them successfully finding employment within the area. In August, the unemployment rates in the WSRCA counties were as follows:
- Blanco: 3.3 percent (no change)
- Burnet: 3.5 percent (no change)
- Hays: 3.8 percent (no change)
- Lee County: 3.7 percent (down from 3.9 percent in July)
- Williamson County: 3.9 percent (no change)
- Bastrop and Fayette counties: 4.0 percent (Bastrop down from 4.1 percent in July, Fayette County's rate remained the same)
- Caldwell: 4.1 percent (down from 4.3 percent)
- Llano County: 4.2 percent (no change)
The Financial Activities sector experienced the highest employment growth in the First Quarter of 2023, demonstrating a noteworthy increase of 19 percent. Other sectors also showed job gains, including Natural Resources and Mining (4.5 percent), Education and Health Sciences (2.5 percent), Leisure and Hospitality (1.8 percent), and Construction (1.7 percent). Looking at positive annual job growth, Financial Activities led with a substantial increase of 22 percent. Additionally, significant positive annual job growth was observed in Professional and Business Services (10.6 percent), Leisure and Hospitality (9.8 percent), and Education and Health Sciences (8.6 percent).
In comparison to the statewide unemployment rate, which held steady at 4.5 percent**, the region's unemployment figures in August remained lower. The local rate also aligned with the national rate, which increased to 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.
