HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A July jobs shakeup across the Houston area, as Workforce Solutions data shows there were more than 30,000 job losses last month.
Workforce Solutions data shows the reality is, job losses are typical during July due to what they call end-of-the-school-year layoffs, but say this year it’s more than normal.
However, despite the field, people tell ABC13 they are still hopeful that they’ll soon secure their dream job.
Data from Workforce Solutions shows 30,500 jobs lost last month, with the government sector employment taking the hardest hit, which includes jobs at public schools and universities.
“It’s like I apply to a lot of jobs, maybe over 50 jobs, no replies,” job fair attendee, Robert Lagard, said.
Lagard is just one of hundreds who attended the Workforce Solutions Bytes and Hires job fair on Thursday to improve his career, but he says it hasn’t been easy.
“It’s tough, it just seems like you put them in and it just goes to nothing, I don’t know,” Lagard said.
And Lagard is not alone- the data also shows Houston’s July unemployment rate, up from June, with nearly 175,000 Houstonians unemployed in July, compared to 167,000 in June.
“I was building a home until I got laid off,” Charlie Garcia, job fair attendee, said.
Garcia is another person impacted by the current economy – he said he’s been looking for work for six months.
Now, Garcia and Lagard have faith that something will come soon.
“I can do commercial/residential work, and I’m just hopeful this place will help me find something,” Garcia said.
“Management information systems degree, I studied at Texas Southern University, so I am just looking to expand my opportunities and see what this job fair has to offer out here,” Lagard said.
Workforce Solutions data also shows Houston’s unemployment rate of 4.5%, which is higher than the statewide average but just below the national average.
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