BY CASEY MURPHY

cmurphy@tylerpaper.com

 

Tyler’s employment rate for June slipped slightly for the second consecutive month.

Last month’s 93 percent was down from the 93.4 percent employment rate seen here in May and 93.8 percent in April. Those declines followed increases in employment rates for the area during the three preceding months, according to the latest figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission.

Employment for June was up from 92.5 percent seen in the Tyler area in June 2012.

Local figures were on par with the state’s rate but higher than the country’s.

The employment rate for Texas was 93.1 percent last month, compared to 93.5 percent the month before and 92.5 percent the year before.

The nation’s employment rate came in at 92.2 percent in June, a decline from the 92.7 percent seen across the country in May, but up from last year’s 91.6 percent.

“Economic growth in Texas has proven to be diverse, consistent and long-term,” Texas Workforce Commission Chair Andres Alcantar said in a statement. “The annual job growth across all industries continues to provide opportunity for Texas job seekers.”

The Texas economy added 5,800 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs in June for a total of 303,000 jobs added since June 2012, the Texas Workforce Commission reported.

Seven of the 11 major industries in the state saw positive growth during the month. Leisure and hospitality saw the biggest gains, with 4,600 jobs. That industry has added 55,600 jobs during the last year, for a 5.1 percent annual growth rate, and has posted over-the-month growth for the fifth time in six months.

“Our economy continues to offer numerous opportunities to job seekers,” Workforce Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton said.

Professional and business services employment expanded for the fifth consecutive month, with the addition of 3,100 new positions last month. The industry has had an annual growth rate at or above 4 percent for five months.

Financial activities, information, manufacturing and trade, transportation and utilities also saw positive growth in June.

“With an annual growth rate at or above 3 percent since April 2011, Texas’ private employers continue to play an important role in our state’s expanding job market,” Workforce Commission Representing Employers Hope Andrade said.

At 96.3 percent, Midland once again had the highest employment rate in the state, while at 88.4 percent, the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area continued to have the lowest rate.

Congleton encouraged Texas job seekers to visit a local Workforce Solutions office for help in finding the right job.

Workforce Solutions East Texas, at 4100 Troup Highway, can be reached at 903-561-8131 or www.easttexas

workforce.org.