Unemployment in Burnet and Llano counties is nearly back to the same level it was before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown large sections of the economy last year, according to figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
The unadjusted unemployment rate of the nine-county Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area of Central Texas dropped to 4.5 percent in April 2021, down from 5.3 percent in March 2021 and a huge dip from the 11 percent unemployment reported in April 2020, with nearly 4,600 more people employed in the region than last month.
The 4.5 percent unemployment rate in the nine-county Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) represented 25,675 residents seeking employment. The region’s unemployment rate remained below Texas’ (6.3 percent) and the national (5.7 percent) rates.
“We are excited to see the recovery of our Rural Capital Area economy continue to make strides,” said WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher. “This collective community-wide effort is fueled by innovative local employers tapping into the talents of our world-class workforce, and we are proud to play an important role in job matching and upskilling our workforce to meet the needs of industry. Together we’re delivering solutions to strengthen opportunities for Central Texas families.”
For the month of April, Burnet County recorded an unemployment rate of 4.0 percent as 962 of the county’s eligible workforce of 23,785 people were actively seeking employment and filed for unemployment benefits — down almost 200 people from March 2021, when the unemployment rate was 4.8 percent.
In April 2020, Burnet County had an unemployment rate of 8.2 percent with 1,803 people out of a labor force of 22,112 seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits — meaning there are 841 fewer people unemployed than last year at this time and 1,673 more people in the workforce.
For Llano County, unemployment fell in April 2021 to 5.3 percent as 440 people out of the county’s labor force of 8,324 people were seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits. That was a decrease of 108 people from March 2021, when unemployment in Llano County was 6.3 percent.
In April 2020, Llano County had an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent with 719 people out of a labor force of 7,682 seeking employment and filing for unemployment benefits — meaning there are 279 more people employed than last year at this time and 642 more people in the workforce.
All counties within the Rural Capital Area region saw unemployment rates drop in April. Blanco County recorded the lowest unemployment rate at 3.6 percent (down from 4.1 percent in April). Burnet County dropped to 4.0 percent (down from 4.8 percent), while Williamson and Lee Counties dropped to 4.4 percent (down from 5.1 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively). Hays County dropped to 4.5 percent (down from 5.3 percent), Bastrop and Fayette Counties slid to 4.8 percent (down from 5.7 percent and 5.5 percent respectively), while Caldwell and Llano Counties dropped to 5.3 percent (down from 6.0 percent and 6.3 percent respectively).
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 Skill-Based 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.
