Labor Market Intelligence

Labor Market Intelligence Update

According to the latest employment statistics released by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Coastal Bend region’s unemployment rate increased 0.6% for the month of January to 5.9%, while dropping 1.3% from this time last year. The Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) increased to 5.9% unemployment rate.

Ten of the 11 Coastal Bend counties experienced decreases in their unemployment rates over the year while Aransas County increased 1.2% over this time last year. This year-over-year increase for Aransas County is a direct effect of Hurricane Harvey and its lingering economic impact.

Total Nonfarm employment in the Corpus Christi MSA experienced a loss of 1,500 jobs annually with Leisure and Hospitality at 1,100 jobs less than last year.  However Professional and Business Services increased by 1,100 net jobs from January 2017.

Of special note, each year during the month of February, the Texas Workforce Commission reanalyzes, reviews and compiles the 2017 annual data which may impact previously recorded employment numbers. For this reason, there are two March releases (3/9/2018 and 3/23/2018) to finalize all 2017 data. Future employment statistics will be released on the third Friday of each new month.

Click here for the January Labor Market Information (LMI) Report.

Workforce Snapshot – December 2018

5.9% Regional Unemployment Rate
1,876 WorkInTexas.com Total Job Postings
5,549 WorkInTexas.com Total Job Openings
2,268 WorkInTexas.com Active Employers
4,687 Job Seekers Served
111 Hired through WorkInTexas.com
504 Veterans Received Priority Service
1,673 Families Served – Employment-Related Child Care Assistance
2,811 Children Attended a State Licensed Child Care Center

Labor Market Information Definitions

Not Seasonally Adjusted (Actual) – Data has not been subjected to the seasonal adjustment process. In other words, the effects of regular or seasonal patterns have not been removed from these series. Not seasonally adjusted data is available for smaller geographies, where seasonally adjusted is only available down to the state level. Use this data to view raw numbers, and for geographies smaller than state level.

Seasonally Adjusted – Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example, higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays. Use this data for month-to-month comparisons for Texas and the United States.

Labor Force – Residents who are at least 16 years old, not serving in the military or institutionalized, and employed or seeking employment.

 Download Targeted Occupations List 2016-2017(PDF)

The targeted occupations list is developed by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend for the most effective use of local workforce development resources. Sources of information for the target list are local area employers, economic development entities, chambers of commerce, community partners, Texas Workforce Commission labor market information regarding the Coastal Bend Counties, and knowledge gained from continuous contact with the above sources.

Strategic Business Plan 2017 – 2020

Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend’s Strategic Business Plan 2017 – 2020 has been updated to comply with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) regulations and is available to the public.

 Click Here To Download Strategic Business Plan 2017 – 2020