TWC Announces Texas Unemployment Rate

The Texas Workforce Commission announced in a July 17, 2009 Press Release that Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 7.5 percent in June, but remained below the national rate of 9.5 percent.  The Texas unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in May.  According to the Press Release, education and Health Services represents the strongest industry for job growth over the year with 57,300 jobs added since June 2008.  Idustries hardest hit were Trade, Transportation and Utilities, which dropped 21,700 jobs in June, followed by Professional and Business Services with a loss of 11,900 jobs.  As stated in the TWC Press Release, Texas has recorded a net loss of 266,300 jobs in the past 12 months, compared with job losses of 5.7 million nationwide during the same period.   A TWC Commissioner quoted in the Press Release stated that “TWC has hired additional employment services staff to help Texans who are out of work at this time find employment … With workforce centers and staff located across the state, jobseekers can turn to TWC and the 28 workforce boards for assistance.” 

For further information about the TWC and services it offers, call (512)463-8556 or visit the TWC website at www.texasworkforce.org .