Local unemployment rate creeps up in November

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  • A Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area map shows the unemployment figures of the counties surrounding Austin. Burnet County’s jobless numbers rose approximately one percent from last month. Contributed
    A Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area map shows the unemployment figures of the counties surrounding Austin. Burnet County’s jobless numbers rose approximately one percent from last month. Contributed
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The unemployment rate in the Highland Lakes and Rural Capital Area of Central Texas increased slightly in November — one month after it had fallen back almost to its near pre-pandemic lowest point, according to figures released last week by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The unadjusted employment rate in the Rural Capital Area of Central Texas, which includes both Burnet and Llano counties, was 5.8 percent for November 2020, up 1 percent from the pandemic low of 4.8 percent in October. This represents some 32,768 residents actively seeking employment in the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA), a nine-county region, whose unemployment rate still remains below both the state (8 percent) and national (6.4 percent) unadjusted rates.

For the month of November, Burnet County recorded an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent as 1,227 of the county’s eligible workforce of 23,392 people were actively seeking employment and filed for unemployment benefits up nearly 250 from October 2020, when the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent.

In November 2019, Burnet County had an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent with just 634 people out of a labor force of 23,638 seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits — meaning there are 593 more people unemployed than last year at this time and almost 250 fewer people in the workforce.

For Llano County, unemployment climbed in November 2020 to 6.5 percent as 563 people out of the county’s labor force of 8,655 people were seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits. That was an increase of 224 people above October 2020, when unemployment in Llano County was 5.1 percent.

In November 2019, Llano County had an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent with just 276 people out of a labor force of 8,700 seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits — meaning there are 287 more people unemployed than last year at this time and 45 fewer people in the workforce.

Within the WSRCA counties, Blanco recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 4.0 percent in November, followed by Lee County at 5.1 percent, and Burnet County was third at 5.2 percent. Williamson County was at 5.7 percent, while Fayette County was at 5.9 percent. Hays County came in as 6.0 percent, Bastrop County was at 6.1 percent, while Caldwell and Llano counties brought up the rear at 6.5 percent.

The WSRCA team is eager to help job seekers find workforce solutions and offers curbside and in-center assistance by appointment. Services continue to be available virtually. Utilize their SkillBased Career Progression Lattices and work with their teams to develop a customized training plan to help you enhance your skills and create sustainable career outcomes.

Looking for work? The Workforce Wednesdays Virtual Career Expo connects employers and job seekers at weekly online hiring events. Workforce Wednesdays represents a collective effort among Rural Capital Area communities and industries to empower their workforce through virtual interactive events and continue to help the region compete at a global level.

“We are proud to continue to innovate our services to present new workforce opportunities for local businesses, families and job seekers,” said WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher. “These are difficult times for our communities, but we’ll get through this together. By hosting virtual hiring events each week during Workforce Wednesdays, we are helping our fellow Texans find sustainable careers to support their families, all from the safety and convenience of their mobile device.”

Employers looking to host free hiring booths and interview sessions should email the WSRCA Business Services Team at businessservices@ ruralcapital.net, or visit ruralcapitalarea.getyourbooth.com.

For more information please visit WSRCA at workforcesolutionsrca.com, call toll free, at 1-844-344-2780, and begin a job search on 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.

Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is a nonprofit community partnership providing no cost recruitment, employment services and childcare assistance, to businesses, 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. For more details on WSRCA, and the services it offers, visit workforcesolutionsrca. com.