Regional Unemployment Rate Announced for June 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2024
Contact
Charlotte Brown
Cell: (850) 583-0244
Regional Unemployment Rate Announced for June 2024
Federal Bonding & Work Opportunity Tax Credit Programs Support At-Risk Job Seekers and Employers
GADSDEN, JEFFERSON, LEON & WAKULLA COUNTIES, Fla. – The unemployment rate in CareerSource Capital Region (Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Wakulla counties) was 3.9 percent in June 2024. This rate was 0.4 percentage points greater than the region’s year ago rate of 3.5 percent.
Wakulla County’s unemployment rate remained the lowest in the Capital Region at 3.1 percent; Leon County followed at 3.9 percent; Jefferson County at 4.1 percent; and Gadsden County was at 4.4 percent. The region’s June 2024 unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage point above the state rate of 3.5 percent. There were a total of 7,900 unemployed residents in the Capital Region.
The top six advertised occupations in the Capital Region in June 2024 were as follows:
- Registered Nurses
- Retail Salespersons
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Software Developers
CareerSource Capital Region is doing its part to combat unemployment within the region. It provides information about the Federal Bonding Program and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to support at-risk job seekers and incentivize employers to hire individuals facing significant barriers to employment. Our reports show that in June, 116 justice-involved career seekers used Employ Florida to seek employment.
Solution for Job Placement
The Federal Bonding Program, established in 1966 by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), is an invaluable resource for both employers and at-risk job seekers. This program provides free Fidelity Bond insurance to employers as a hiring incentive. The bond guarantees the job honesty of at-risk job seekers, covering losses due to employee theft of money or property, with no deductible amount. Over the years, the program has successfully facilitated over 42,000 job placements for individuals who would otherwise face significant challenges in securing employment.
What Federal Bonding Offers:
- Insurance protection for employers against employee dishonesty, covering theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement.
- A guarantee of worker job honesty, offering peace of mind to employers.
- An effective incentive for employers to hire at-risk job applicants.
- Coverage that does not extend to liability for poor workmanship or job performance.
Eligibility for Federal Bonding Services:
- Ex-offenders, recovering substance abusers, welfare recipients, and individuals with poor financial credit.
- Economically disadvantaged youth and adults lacking a work history.
- Individuals dishonorably discharged from the military and others who cannot secure employment without bonding.
- Employees needing bonding to avoid layoff or to secure a transfer or promotion within their current company.
The Necessity of Federal Bonding for Job Placement:
- Employers often perceive ex-offenders and other at-risk job seekers as untrustworthy, leading to hiring hesitations.
- Commercial Fidelity Bonds do not cover these individuals, leaving them without employment opportunities.
- The Federal Bonding Program eliminates this barrier, allowing employers to hire skilled workers without taking on risk.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Enhancing Employment Opportunities
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is another valuable tool available to employers who hire individuals from groups facing significant employment barriers. This federal tax credit incentivizes businesses to provide job opportunities to those who need it most, including veterans, ex-felons, and long-term unemployed individuals. By participating in the WOTC program, employers can significantly reduce their federal income tax liability while contributing to the community's economic growth.
Join Us in Supporting At-Risk Job Seekers
CareerSource Capital Region is committed to fostering a thriving workforce by supporting both job seekers and employers. We encourage businesses to take advantage of these programs to enhance their hiring strategies and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse workforce. For more information on the Federal Bonding Program and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, visit www.careersourcecapitalregion.com or contact (850) 922-0023.
Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient community by opening doors to those who need it most.
Visit the nearest career center, Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm:
Gadsden County
Career Center
1140 West Clark Street
Quincy, FL 32351
(850) 875-4040
Leon County
Career Center
2601 Blair Stone Road
Building C, Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 922-0023
Wakulla County
Career Center
3278 Crawfordville Hwy.
Crawfordville, FL 32327
(850) 926-0980
Or in Jefferson County on Wednesdays, 9:00am to 12:00 noon and 1:00pm to 4:00pm:
R.J. Bailar Public Library
375 South Water St.
Monticello, FL 32344
Or call (850) 922-0023.
For more information about the child-friendly hours, upcoming events and workshops offered call the telephone numbers listed above or visit http://www.careersourcecapitalregion.com.
Follow CareerSource Capital Region on social media to learn about upcoming job fairs, recruitment events, workshops, and other available solutions.
Facebook: CareerSource Capital Region
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/careersourcecapitalregion
Twitter: @CareerSourceCR
Instagram: @careersourcecr
For more information about the Capital Region’s Unemployment Report for June 2024, click here.
###
About CareerSource Capital Region
CareerSource Capital Region connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity in Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla counties. Solutions for career seekers include one-on-one career advising, interviewing and resume-writing assistance, employment workshops, and labor market information. Solutions for employers include recruitment assistance, skills assessments for applicants, customized training, and information on tax incentives. Employers and career seekers are matched through the Employ Florida Marketplace system. Most solutions are provided at no cost. This initiative was supported by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $5,399,720 with 0% financed from non-governmental sources. Programs funded through CareerSource Capital Region are equal opportunity programs with auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Persons using TTY/TTD equipment use Florida Relay Service 711. A proud partner of the American Job Center network.