The unemployment rate for Burnet and Llano counties increased in January 2021 as part-time holiday seasonal employment ended and there were 164 more unemployment claims filed, according to figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
The unadjusted unemployment rate of the nine-county Rural Capital Area of Central Texas rose to 5.3 percent in January, up from 4.8 percent in December, with 5,055 fewer people employed in the region. The 5.3 percent unemployment rate represented 30,272 residents seeking employment, up from 28,870 in December. The region’s unemployment rate remains below both the Texas (7.3 percent) and national (6.8 percent) unadjusted rates.
For the month of January, Burnet County recorded an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent as 1,131 of the county’s eligible workforce of 24,103 people were actively seeking employment and filed for unemployment benefits — up 100 people from December 2020, when the unemployment rate was 4.3 percent.
In January 2020, Burnet County had an unemployment rate of 2.8 percent with just 660 people out of a labor force of 23,803 seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits - meaning there are 471 more people unemployed than last year at this time and 300 more people in the workforce.
For Llano County, unemployment rose in January 2020 to 6.4 percent as 548 people out of the county’s labor force of 8,505 people were seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits. That was an increase of 64 people from December 2020, when unemployment in Llano County was 5.7 percent.
In January 2020, Llano County had an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent with just 305 people out of a labor force of 8,553 seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits - meaning there are 243 more people unemployed than last year at this time and 48 fewer people in the workforce.
Within the WSRCA counties, Blanco recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 3.9 percent in November, followed by Burnet County at 4.7 percent, and Williamson County was third at 5.2 percent. Fayette County was at 5.4 percent, while Hays County was at 5.5 percent. Lee County was at 5.6 percent, while Bastrop County was at 5.8 percent, while Caldwell County was at 6.2 percent and Llano County was at 6.4 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.
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.
