News

PALM BEACH COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS TO 3.2 PERCENT; MORE JOB OPENINGS THAN UNEMPLOYED FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2019) – Palm Beach County’s unemployment rate for September dropped to 3.2 percent from 3.4 percent a year ago, and below August’s 3.8 percent rate. In addition, for 11 consecutive months, there are more job openings in Palm Beach County than unemployed people – 28,608 job openings in the county in September vs. 23,726 unemployed people, according to the latest monthly reports released today by CareerSource Palm Beach County and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (all numbers not seasonally adjusted).

While Palm Beach County’s unemployment rate for September is slightly above the state’s 3.0 percent rate, it remains below the 3.3 percent national rate, continuing a 32-month streak in which the county’s rate has stayed below or matched the national rate.

“No tricks – only treats for job seekers as we kick off the active winter season. Palm Beach County gained 12,700 jobs over the year and the county’s unemployment rate has remained at or below 4 percent for two years,” said Steve Craig, president and CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County, the nonprofit organization chartered by the state to lead workforce development in Palm Beach County. 

Job growth by industry sector: On a percentage basis, job gains in September were led by the financial activities and professional/business services sectors both with 5.0 percent over-the-year job growth, besting 3.2 percent and 3.4 percent statewide gains in those sectors, respectively. Palm Beach County also had the fastest annual job growth rate in the state in the financial activities sector.

By the numbers, over-the-year job gains/losses in Palm Beach County were:

Industry                                                               Change

Professional/business services                  +5,700 jobs

Education/health services                            +2,300 jobs

Financial activities                                            +2,100 jobs

Construction                                                      +1,300 jobs

Leisure/hospitality                                          +1,300 jobs

Government                                                      +1,200 jobs

Manufacturing                                                  +800 jobs

Trade/transportation/utilities                    +300 jobs

Information                                                        -500 jobs

Other services                                                   -1,800 jobs


Top 8 most advertised jobs available: 
The Conference Board produces a monthly report of real-time labor demand captured through job advertisements. The latest report shows that there were advertisements for 28,608 full-time and part-time jobs in Palm Beach County in September. The top 8 most advertised jobs in the county are for:

  1. Registered nurses
  2. Retail salespeople
  3. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
  4. Customer service representatives
  5. First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers
  6. Accountants
  7. Software developers
  8. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month: The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. CareerSource Palm Beach County takes this opportunity to emphasize its services to career seekers with disabilities who have found meaningful employment this year.

Recently, CareerSource worked with local Channel 5 News (WPTV) to feature a client who successfully completed Disability Service’s Hospitality Training Program of the Palm Beaches and has risen through the ranks at the Hyatt Place. The story has since then been featured on 76 news media outlets nationally, reaching more than 70.5 million people.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Steve Craig. “We want to spread the important message that a strong workforce is one inclusive of the skills and talents of all individuals, including individuals with disabilities.”

CareerSource’s Ticket to Work unit works with career seekers with disabilities to provide a structured approach to their career search campaign. Specific job readiness guidance is provided at each stage in the form of assessments, tutorials, coaching and workshops leading to placements.

CareerSource also partners with organizations such as Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), Autism after 21 (SOAR), the Palm Beach School for Autism, the Florida Division of Blind Services, FAU Student Accessibility Services (SAS), Palm Beach State College, Social Security, the Arc of Palm Beach County and Vocational Rehabilitation to expand the services provided to individuals with disabilities. For more information, email ttwteam@careersourcepbc.com.

Paychecks for Patriots Hiring Event Nov. 13:  Nearly 20 local and national employers are expected to participate in Paychecks for Patriots, a special hiring event for local veterans and spouses hosted by CareerSource on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at their Central Career Center, 3400 Belvedere Road, in West Palm Beach. All employers have immediate job openings to fill. Register as a job seeker on www.employflorida.com for express entry to the event, bring printed copies of your resume and dress in business attire. There is no cost to attend.

Whatever career you would like to pursue, the staff at CareerSource offers classes and facilities for job searches, grants for job skills training for those who qualify, career development and consulting. During the past five program years, CareerSource Palm Beach County assisted 80,500 residents find employment ranging from entry level to executive suite, with salaries from these jobs creating $1.85 billion in annual wages. CareerSource also awarded $23 million in grants to area businesses and employees for job training and educational assistance during that time. 

Services for employers: CareerSource provides a comprehensive package of services to help businesses compete in today’s challenging marketplace. CareerSource absorbs the cost of most of these services including recruitment, assessments and referrals of qualified job candidates; space and staff assistance for screening/interviewing candidates; and grants for training employees. 

Services for career seekers: Our career centers in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Belle Glade offer classes and facilities for job search, career development and consulting; and grants for job skills training – all at no cost. Schedules of workshops and employer hiring events are posted at www.careersourcepbc.com. From this same home page, you also will find our mobile-friendly Virtual Career System with online tools and resources to access our programs and services 24/7.

Next monthly employment reports for Florida and Palm Beach County: State and local employment reports for Oct. 2019 are scheduled for release on Nov. 15.

###

Note to editors: You are invited to interview a CareerSource spokesperson on local employment and economic trends, and/or career seekers at our Central Career Center in West Palm Beach. Please call 561.340.1061 ext. 2229 before 3:00 p.m. today for scheduling.