Unemployment Rate Remained at 3.5 Percent in Laredo
Workforce Solutions for South Texas
December 31, 2018
LAREDO, Texas — (December 2018) — Workforce Solutions for South Texas announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.5 percent in Laredo, and at 3.6 in the South Texas area, during the month of November.
Laredo had a total of 900 jobs added during November 2018. Of those, 500 jobs were added by the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry.
In a year-to-year comparison, Laredo’s unemployment rate remained steady with no increase reported.
The Texas and U.S. unemployment rates were reported at 3.5 percent, with no changes comparing it to October 2018.
“Very good news to see the unemployment rate remain at these historically low percentages,” said Rogelio Trevino, Executive Director for the Workforce Solutions for South Texas. “In particular, with the additional hiring during the holiday season, we did expect the rates to remain constant.”
Besides the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry, the Professional and Business Services added 200 jobs, while the Leisure and Hospitality and the Government industries added 100 jobs, each one. Only the Other Services industry reported 100 fewer jobs.
In total there are 105,300 people employed in the labor force in the Laredo area.
The top three industries are the Trade, Transportation, and Utility industries with 31,600 employees, followed by Government with 23,600, and the Education and Health Services at 16,100.
When comparing October 2018 to November 2018, several local industries showed no change such as the Mining, Logging, and Construction (3,700 jobs), Manufacturing (700 jobs), Information (800 jobs), Financial Activities (3,900), and the Education and Health Services as mentioned above.
“As we prepare to close out the year we anticipate in a surge in job seekers looking for employment for the New Year,” Trevino said. “We will continue to work closely with our local providers in providing training programs to prepare those individuals who will be looking for employment in 2019.”
The Civilian Labor Force in the South Texas service delivery area stands at 122,896 of which 118,532 are employed and 4,364 reported as unemployed.
Job seekers are encouraged to visit the Workforce Solutions center to find out more about the latest employment opportunities available. In Laredo, the address is 2389 E. Saunders St. with phone number 956- 794-6500.
For the Zapata area, visit the center located at 605 US Hwy 83 Suite B with phone number 956-765-1804); and for the Hebbronville area, the center is located at 210 N. Smith (inside the Him Hogg Library), with phone number 361-231-7071.
The Texas Labor Market & Career Information Data for December is scheduled to be released on Friday, January 18, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.
