It is certainly comforting to know that while the year is not over yet, the unemployment rate is still low in Atascosa County, despite the slight increase during the month of June, this according to Workforce Solutions Alamo. In May the county’s unemployment rate was 4.3 percent and rose slightly to 4.5 percent a month later. This isn’t unusual because the unemployment rates generally begin to see an increase in the summer months. This is because the reports consider teachers, who are not working, unemployed.
We’re happy to report that the unemployment rate is almost where it was last year at this same time. On average, during the 2016 calendar year, the unemployment rate was 5.3 percent. This year it is actually lower, which is great! Lydia Elder, a WSA public and government relation coordinator reported that the oil and gas industry might have contributed to the increase in the employment in Atascosa County, TX. If we compare the unemployment rate to where it was during the recession in 2010, which was at 8.2 percent, we see a tremendous improvement. The decrease in the unemployment rate began as far back as 2011; when it went down to 8 percent and even lower in 2012 to 6.7 percent.
If we give serious consideration to where it was in 2010, during the recession, no one can argue that we are in a very good place in 2017, according to Elder. Since Atascosa County is situated around Eagle Ford Shale, it is likely to be a county that continues to see a lower unemployment rate. Although it may appear to be higher than the other 13-counties in the area, it’s still in a good position since it is not amongst the highest. In June, the other counties had an unemployment rate of approximately 3.9 percent, with McMullen County coming in with the lowest at only 2.1 percent.
Despite where every other county stands, Atascosa County’s unemployment rate still comes in lower than the state average. In June, the state of Texas had an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent. This meant that it was actually increased since May when it was 4.4 percent. Elder is optimistic about the rest of the year’s unemployment situation. She feels that Atascosa County’s rate will remain low throughout the duration of 2017. She believes that it will remain at or near 4 percent. She predicts that the unemployment rate will decrease even further once school starts back and teachers are working again.
WSA’s initiatives involve bridging the gap between businesses and potential employees in the region. According to Elder, their objective is to have self-sufficient workers with long-term job opportunities. This means that those who are employed will receive enough compensation to take care of all of their financial responsibilities. This is why WSA provides services to help workers improve their trade skills. There is currently a need for skilled workers in the construction, manufacturing, health care, and IT industries.