Jobless rates climb in Florida, Palm Beach, Broward counties

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — The good news from the state’s employment report for August: Florida added jobs for a second consecutive month.  The bad news: the jobless rate edged higher, most likely the result of more discouraged workers jumping into the jobs market.

Jobless rates for South Florida’s three counties climbed as well, with the increase in Miami-Dade exceeding one percentage point jump, according to Florida’s Agency for Workforce Innovation.

Statewide, the jobless rate hit 11.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, in August, up from 11.5 percent in July and 11.0 percent in August 2009.  The number of jobs in Florida grew by 30,000, or 0.4 percent, during the 12 months through August. That’s miniscule compared to the 3 or 4 percent growth rate the state normally sees, but coming out of a recession, any growth is a good sign.

“Although Florida’s unemployment rate has slightly increased, there are still positive indicators of recovery. This is the second consecutive month with an increase in the number of jobs from the previous year,” said AWI Director Cynthia R. Lorenzo in a statement. “Historically, mixed signals from economic indicators during the bottom of a recession are common until the economy recovers. Fluctuations in rates of unemployment and job growth are typical examples.

In Palm Beach County, the jobless rate for August came in at 12.5 percent, up from 12.3 percent in July and 11.7 percent a year earlier. The actual number of out of work county residents came in at 78,237, up from 76,446 in July. County statistics are not adjusted for seasonal factors that affect employment.

In Broward County, the jobless rate grew to 10.7 percent, up from 10.5 percent a month earlier and 9.9 percent in August 2009. The number of jobless: 106,406, up from 104,659 in July.

Miami-Dade’s jobless rate jumped to 14.4 percent in August, up from 13.3 percent in July and 11.6 percent in August 2009.

Statewide, eight industrial sectors added jobs, led by private education and health services, up 33,500 jobs during the 12 months through August, and trade, transportation and utilities, up 18,900 jobs.

Five sectors shed jobs, including construction, down 17,800 jobs and financial activities, up 15,100.

Florida’s unemployment rate is expected to inch higher during the last four months of 2010. The state’s Economic Estimating Conference, a gathering of economists that serve the Legislature and the governor’s office, sees statewide joblessness hitting 11.8 percent before the end of the year. The bad news is the conference sees a long, slow recovery, with the jobless rate remaining above 6 percent until 2017.