Labor Market Solutions

SAN ANTONIO MSA

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Alamo WorkSource is committed to providing access to timely, accurate and relevant labor market information. Our staff regularly analyzes local economic and labor market information, examining industry and occupation growth trends, wage data, labor force information, economic indicators, etc.

Knowing about economic and labor market conditions is the foundation for Workforce and economic development efforts. It can help employers gain an understanding of the competition and what it takes to find and keep quality, skilled employees.

RETAILERS HIRE AGRESSIVELY IN NOVEMBER
Job expansion continues in the Alamo region; Unemployment increases to 5.4 percent

(December 19, 2008) San Antonio, Texas – Workforce Solutions Alamo released information today indicating that the San Antonio job market expanded by 2,500 jobs as unemployment continued its rise to 5.4 percent for the month of November. Total Nonagricultural Employment in the San Antonio MSA has grown by 16,600 jobs or 2.0 percent since this time last year. A November surge in hiring by area Retailers and Local Government accounted for the bulk of the month’s increase with the addition of 1,800 and 1,100 jobs respectively.

“We continue to experience the seasonal changes associated with drops in Leisure and Hospitality and the positive increases in Retail Trade,” said Chakib Chehadi, Workforce Solutions Alamo’s Executive Director. “We encourage those unemployed at this time to take advantage of the multiple no-cost resources available in our Career Centers and on our Web site. We recognize it may be getting harder to find jobs, but we are committed to connecting jobseekers with the available jobs in our community.”

The largest losses were seen in Leisure and Hospitality with a reduction of (-600) jobs since last month, mainly due to the continued release of seasonal hires. However, the industry continues to maintain a positive annual growth rate of 2,300 jobs or 2.4 percent for the year. While unemployment in Professional Business Services sector continued to decrease over the month, the industry posted a positive annual growth rate of 1.0 percent, an addition of 1,000 jobs. The Construction and Manufacturing sectors similarly experienced reductions in employment by 100 jobs each or (-0.2 percent) in November, nevertheless Construction continues to maintain a strong annual growth rate of 3.6 percent (1,800 jobs) while Manufacturing registered an annual loss of 800 jobs, or (-1.6) percent, for the year.

Education and Health Services and Other Services sectors added 400 jobs for the month, both industries posted positive annual gains of 1,000 jobs (1.0 percent) and 1,500 jobs (5.2 percent) respectively. The Financial Activities sector recovered from last month’s employment drop with a gain of 100 jobs (0.2 percent).

At the State level, the Texas unadjusted (actual) unemployment rate for November increased to 5.6 percent while the national rate increased to 6.5 percent. Comparatively, the state and national seasonally adjusted unemployment rates registered 5.7 and 6.7 percent, respectively, in November.

The mission of Workforce Solutions Alamo is to build a premier workforce in America by providing employers and residents with the opportunities, resources and services to develop and gain a competitive edge in the global economy. Workforce Solutions Alamo reaches over 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents in the City of San Antonio and the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Gillespie, Karnes, Kerr, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties. For more information on available workforce programs and services, visit our website at www.workforcesolutionsalamo.org.