ANGELINA COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) – Claims for unemployment benefits fell to their lowest level in seven months. The number of claims for unemployment benefits fell by 13,000 to 216,000 in the last week of August, according to the US Department of Labor.
“Employers continue to create new jobs. We’re not seeing a lot of layoffs, layoffs or layoffs,” Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Brian Daniel said.
Daniel explained that people leave their jobs; fewer are on unemployment benefits, “so we see a strong and healthy labor market that continues to grow.”
As of July, the state’s unemployment rate is 4.1%, according to the Texas Department of Labor. Angelina County is 4.8%. Polk County is 6.1%. Nacogdoches County is 5.1%
“At the same time, we have more job seekers,” said Mark Duran, executive director of Texas Workforce Solutions in Deep East Texas.
Another factor helping job seekers, Durand said, is that local governments are expanding current businesses and hiring new ones, “while also upskilling, training their workforce to be ready to fill those jobs.” vacancies”.
Many industries that have experienced labor shortages are now experiencing relief, Durand said.
“For employees who want to work and want to work, they will train them in the skills to do the job,” he said.
Jared Rowe, plumbing operations manager at McWilliams & Son, said they offer a five-week course where new hires with no experience can learn and train.
“They come out with a really great foundation and a really great fundamental understanding of the deals,” said Roe,
“I started looking everywhere. Tried Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, the movies. Things like that,” said McWilliams & Son’s newest plumber, Drake Sawtell.
Sottel said he finally found a job he loves to do.
“It’s definitely a career I’ll be pursuing for a while.”
Roe said the company has hired 22 new employees in the past few months.
“There are so many different aspects that help support people who are in the industry, and you can also enter them who are still in the same profession,”
Jobless claims are seen as an indicator of the number of layoffs. The Federal Reserve has been fighting inflation by raising interest rates 11 times in two years.
The rate hike is designed to cool the labor market and reduce wages, which economists say will hold back price growth.
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