West Palm Beach, Fla. (May 16, 2024) – In April 2024, Palm Beach County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.2%, showing a slight improvement from the previous month's rate of 3.3% in March 2024 according to the latest data released today by CareerSource Palm Beach County and FloridaCommerce (all numbers not seasonally adjusted).
- The job growth in specific industries for Palm Beach Counnty was led by Construction at +6.1% (2,600 jobs), Education and Health Services at +5.4% (6,100 jobs), Government at +4.4% (2,800 jobs), and Manufacturing at +2.3% (500 jobs).
- Palm Beach County saw significant job growth across multiple sectors, with Education and Health Services adding 6,100 jobs, and Government 2,800 jobs.
Job growth/loss by industry sector: Despite declines in sectors like professional business services, Palm Beach County experienced notable job growth in key industries such as education/health services, government, construction, and trade/transportation/utilities.
|
Industry
|
Change
|
Total Jobs
|
|
Education/health services
|
+ 6,100 jobs
|
118,700
|
|
Government
|
+ 2,800 jobs
|
66,700
|
|
Construction
|
+ 2600 jobs
|
45,300
|
|
Trade/transportation/utilities
|
+ 2,200 jobs
|
127,200
|
|
Manufacturing
|
+ 500 jobs
|
22,200
|
|
Leisure and hospitality
|
+ 300 jobs
|
97,800
|
|
Information
|
- 400 jobs
|
11,500
|
|
Financial activities
|
- 800 jobs
|
48,900
|
|
Professional business services
|
- 2,700 jobs
|
133,300
|
Navigating Palm Beach County's Competitive Job Market: Insights and Strategies for Hiring Success
Despite Palm Beach County's low unemployment rate of 3.2%, the job market has intensified, making hiring more competitive than ever. Today’s Hiring Insights indicate that positions like Medical Assistant and Accounting are particularly competitive. According to Indeed analytics, West Palm Beach, FL is the most frequently listed location on resumes for these roles, with Boca Raton in a close second.
Our seasoned professionals, Michelle Sena and Robin Parsons, who were recently featured in the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County's Spring 2024 Edition of 'Palm Beach County Business' offer a few invaluable insights to help you hire in today's competitive market:
Tailored Education Standards: Modify your educational requirements to match the candidate's potential. This will foster inclusivity and diversity on your team, while also expanding your candidate pool.
Essential Criteria vs Desirable Skills: Distinguish between necessary qualifications and preferred assets to streamline recruitment and find the perfect fit for your team- Nice to Have versus Must Have.
Dynamic Salary Packages: Adapt your compensation offerings to stay ahead in the fierce job market, ensuring competitiveness to attract top talent.
Hybrid Opportunities: Explore roles that seamlessly blend remote and in-office work, providing a more appealing and flexible work environment compared to traditional office-based positions.
May 2024 Hiring Events & Workshops
CareerSource Palm Beach County has scheduled the following hiring events and workshops for May 2024:
- May 21st: Resume Coaching Online
- May 22nd : LinkedIn Workshop Online
- May 23rd: Resume Coaching In-Person
- May 28th – 30th: Professional Placement Network Workshop
- May 29th – LinkedIn Workshop Online
- May 30th – Resume Coaching Onilne
- June 7th – Deadline to Apply for Youth & Young Adult Interships Session 2
More information and to register, visit the events calendar on www.careersourcepbc.com.
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Note to editors: You are invited to interview a CareerSource spokesperson on local employment and economic trends. Please call 561.340.1060 ext. 2489 for scheduling before 3 p.m. today.
Note: The unemployment rate is a measure of how many people in the labor force are out of a job. For example, if total employment holds constant and unemployed Americans stop looking for work, thereby leaving the labor force, the unemployment rate will fall even though no jobs have been added. Conversely, if employment holds steady and recent graduates enter the labor force looking for work, the unemployment rate will rise even though no jobs have disappeared.
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STEVENS AMENDMENT:
CareerSource Palm Beach County, Inc. is the direct service provider for various workforce programs supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and other agencies as part of awards totaling $15,851,406 (revised annually). Unless otherwise stipulated, all statements, news releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and other applicable documents are fully funded from federal sources.