Labor Market Intelligence

Labor Market Intelligence Update

The August 2018 unemployment rate for the Coastal Bend region decreased -0.3% over the month to 5.0%. This is also a decrease of -1.0% from August 2017. Of the 11 Coastal Bend counties, 10 experienced decreases over the month with Kenedy County remaining unchanged.

While 5.0% is considered a low unemployment rate for the region in the month of August, it must be noted that the Civilian Labor Force (CLF) has gradually decreased over the past few years. As the number of employed workers has remained virtually constant at approximately 246,000 workers, the labor force and the number of unemployed has shrunk at about the same pace.

This might suggest that many unemployed workers have left the Coastal Bend region’s labor force over the last two years. Yet, the regional economy still remains strong as evidence of the over 5,000 jobs currently available in WorkInTexas.com. With many of these in-demand jobs in Construction, Production, and Transportation Occupations, the need remains high for skilled and trade occupations for the foreseeable future.

The Corpus Christi Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added 900 workers, with the Mining, Logging and Construction adding 400 workers over the month with four industry sectors (Information, Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services and Other Services) remaining unchanged.

If you are looking for work or workers, please call 361-882-7491 or 1-888-860-JOBS (5627) or visit http://workintexas.com. If you do not already have an account with WorkInTexas.com, you can register at http://bit.ly/WIT_Register.

Click here for the August 2018 Labor Market Information (LMI) Report.

Workforce Snapshot – September 2018

5.0% Regional Unemployment Rate
2,201 WorkInTexas.com Total Job Postings
5,018 WorkInTexas.com Total Job Openings
2,369 WorkInTexas.com Active Employers
5,155 Job Seekers Served
295 Hired through WorkInTexas.com
552 WorkInTexas.com Active Veterans
1,837 Families Served – Employment-Related Child Care Assistance
3,129 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 2018-2019 (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