Unemployment Rate Reported a Slight Increase in January

Workforce Solutions for South Texas March 12, 2019

LAREDO, Texas — (March 2019) — Workforce Solutions for South Texas announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 4.3 percent in Laredo, and at 4.4 percent in the South Texas area during the month of January.

This represents an increase of 0.6 percent for both the Laredo MSA and the South Texas areas.

Laredo had a total of 300 jobs added during January. Of those, 200 jobs were added by the Professional and Business Services industry, while the rest was added by the Leisure and Hospitality industry.

In a year-to-year comparison, Laredo’s unemployment rate had an increase of 0.3 percent.

The Texas and U.S. unemployment rates were reported at 4.2 and 4.4 percent, respectively, with changes of 0.6 and 0.7 percent in comparison with December 2018.

The Texas Workforce Commission reported that “The Texas economy saw more positive employment growth to begin 2019, with 15,400 seasonally adjusted nonfarm positions added in January. After holding at a historic low for five consecutive months, Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.8 percent.”

“Although, for the first time in many months, there was a slight increase in the unemployment rate we remain optimistic with the current rate of job growth and submitted job orders from our regional employers,” said Rogelio Trevino, Executive Director for the Workforce Solutions for South Texas.

The top three industries are the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industries with 31,900 employees, followed by Government with 23,200, and the Education and Health Services at 17,100.

When comparing December 2018 to January 2019, several local industries showed no change such as the Mining, Logging, and Construction (4,100 jobs), Manufacturing (600 jobs), Financial Activities (3,800), and Other Services (2,400 jobs).

The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, the Information, the Education and Health Services, and the Government industries reported 1,100 fewer jobs in total.

Also, there are 105,900 people employed in the labor force in the Laredo area.

“A slight increase in the unemployment rate was eventually expected. The amount of people currently employed still remains at very high levels. We foresaw some adjustments to the labor market after so many months of constant growth and decreasing unemployment rates,” Trevino said. “We are hopeful that as we approach the summer months hiring rates will increase and will maintain our employment levels around the 4% rate.”

The Civilian Labor Force in the South Texas service delivery area stands at 126,090 of which 120,514 are employed and 5,576 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 February is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 22, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.