FloridaCommerce has announced that the state's private sector job growth continues to surpass the national average, with a 2.1% increase over the year since August 2023, compared to the national rate of 1.4%. This achievement is attributed to strategic investments in workforce education and development.
Florida's statewide unemployment rate stands at 3.3%, nearly one percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.2%, and has been consistently lower for 46 consecutive months. Florida employers have added jobs in 50 of the last 52 months, and the state's over-the-year private sector job growth rate has exceeded the national rate for 41 consecutive months.
"Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida’s economy and workforce continue to strengthen," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "In 2019, Governor DeSantis committed to making Florida number one in workforce education by 2030, and Florida has got its homework done early, earning the #1 ranking for talent development in 2022 and 2023 by Lightcast."
In August 2024, the leisure and hospitality sector gained the most jobs among all major industries, adding 7,300 jobs (+0.6%) from the previous month. This was followed by education and health services, which added 3,900 jobs (+0.3%). The labor force grew by 7,000 (+0.1%) over the year since August 2023.
Governor Ron DeSantis has proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month. Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $8.5 billion in workforce education.
These investments include:
- Nearly $400 million invested in workforce and infrastructure for the semiconductor industry since 2022.
- More than $200 million for creating and expanding Career and Technical Education programs through the Workforce Development Capitalization Grant Program.
- Over $257 million awarded through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote public infrastructure and workforce education opportunities.
Florida's support of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs has led to:
- A 45% increase in registered apprentices.
- A 40% increase in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
- A 110% increase in apprenticeable occupations.
Florida continues to rank:
- #1 in talent development.
- #1 in higher education.
- #1 economy in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and CNBC.
- #1 in new business formations with more than 3.2 million formed since 2019 and over 424,144 formed already in 2024.
With an annual GDP of nearly $1.6 trillion, Florida would be the world's sixteenth largest economy if it were a country.
Job creators demonstrate confidence through their investments, creating high-skill, high-wage jobs. Florida offers numerous workforce education opportunities for job seekers to gain necessary skills for a competitive job market.
Resources available for job seekers include:
- Employ Florida: Connects job seekers with employment opportunities.
- CareerSource Florida: Offers career counseling, skills assessments, resume assistance, and job placement support.
- Apprentice Florida: Expands apprenticeship programs across the state.
- Veterans Florida: Helps military veterans transition to civilian life by connecting them with employers eager to hire veterans.
- Military Family Employment Advocacy Program: Provides priority workforce services to active-duty military spouses and family members through local career centers.
Data from July indicates there are jobs available for every Floridian who wants to work with more than 405,000 jobs posted online.
For detailed regional employment data from August 2024 or further information on labor market trends visit [Florida Insight](https://floridainsight.com).
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