AUSTIN – As COVID resurges in Austin, employers reported adding more than 5,000 jobs in July and the unemployment rate ticked down, according to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
TWC’s updated employment estimates released today say the Austin-Round Rock MSA* unemployment rate dropped from 4.8% in June 2021 to 4.2%** in July 2021, representing 54,605 unemployed residents.
- The Austin metro’s unemployment rate remained below Texas (6.0%) and national (5.7%) rates.
- According to TWC, the Austin metro added 5,600 jobs from June 2021 to July 2021. The region has experienced an annual growth rate of 7.6%, representing the collective gain of 81,100 jobs since July 2020.
- Further, TWC reports unemployment in the Capital Area/Travis County*** region dropped from 4.7% in June 2021 to 4.1% in July 2021, or 31,931 unemployed residents.
Employers posted 31,586 new job ads in the Austin MSA in July 2021, according to job posting data from Burning Glass Labor Insight. That’s 7,464 more than in July 2020.
“Austin’s economic rebound is among the best in the nation. However, we are watching closely how the delta variant poses new challenges to our economy,” said Tamara Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer at Workforce Solutions Capital Area.
“We want Austinites to know they don’t have to put their plans on hold to train for a job with long-term earning potential. Many opportunities are available here and now,” said Atkinson. “Workforce Solutions continues to safely connect local people to local jobs, including remote services like virtual job training.”
July Job Growth/Losses by Industry in the Austin-Round Rock MSA:
- Monthly Increases: Industries that experienced a significant increase in regional job growth from June to July include Professional & Business Services (5,500), Leisure & Hospitality (5,100), Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (900), and Education & Health Services (500).
- Monthly Decreases: Government (-8,000) and Mining, Logging & Construction (-800).
- Annual Increases: Leisure & Hospitality experienced the greatest regional job growth over the last 12 months with an increase of 29.4%, followed by Professional and Business Services (13%), Trade, Transportation & Utilities (7.7%), and Information (7.5%).
- Other industries that experienced annual job growth include Other Services (7.3%), Financial Activities (6%), and Manufacturing (3%).
- Annual Decreases: Government (-0.9%).
“The need for skilled workers in our region is strong, especially in high-demand industries like IT, healthcare, skilled trades, and manufacturing,” said Melanie Flowers, Chair of the Board of Directors for Workforce Solutions Capital Area. “Employers remain hungry for those with the right skills.
“Workforce Solutions Capital Area continues to engage people safely to offer job search support and training, child care assistance, and much more to strengthen opportunities for families in Travis County.”
Residents seeking work can explore career opportunities at upcoming virtual events hosted by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, including a job fair cohosted with the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce on August 24 and the Austin Job Expo cohosted with Austin Community College on August 26. Learn more on our Workforce Solutions’ website.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to serve residents and businesses impacted by economic changes caused by COVID-19.
Residents seeking assistance can contact us at 512.549.4967 or visit wfscapitalarea.com to learn about our many services and resources for job seekers, employers, parents, and students.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board is the publicly-funded workforce board for Austin-Travis County. Through strong partnerships and strategic collaborations, Workforce Solutions is leading the region’s workforce system in the development of a world-class workforce.
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*The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties.
**Unemployment rates listed are not seasonally adjusted.
***The Capital Area Workforce Development Area includes Travis County.
