More than 279,000 openings statewide;
November online job vacancies increase by 8 percent over the year

TALLAHASSEE— According to Help Wanted OnLine, the number of available online job openings in Florida increased in November 2013 compared to the previous November by 20,789 or eight percent, for a total of 279,789 openings (seasonally adjusted). This is an all-time high in the data series, which began in May 2005. Job postings in Florida also increased over the month compared to October 2013 by 21,661 openings or 8.4 percent.

Governor Scott said, “This all time high in online job openings is great news for Florida families. With job openings up more than 8 percent since October, more-and-more opportunities are available for families in the Sunshine State. Since December 2010, Florida created 446,300 private sector jobs and our unemployment rate remains below the national average. While this is great news, we still have much to do in creating opportunities so every family can enjoy the American Dream.”

Florida’s labor demand has increased by 127,608 openings or 83.9 percent since April 2009 when the number of ads was the lowest, with only 152,181 ads.

According to the Help Wanted OnLine data series, online job demand was highest in the large metro cities, led by Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale. Among the cities with the most online ads, the highest percentage gain over the year in online ads was in Tallahassee with 27.4 percent.

“Once again, Florida’s economic turnaround is setting records. Job demand is an important indicator of economic health and the latest numbers are further proof that our economic policies are working. The jobs are out there and it is important that we continue to focus resources on providing our job seekers with the skills, training, and knowledge they need to land these jobs,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio.

Major occupational groups with the most online ads in November were sales and related occupations, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, office and administrative support occupations, and management occupations.

Source:  The Conference Board, Help Wanted OnLine, prepared by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics.

Help Wanted OnLine ™ from The Conference Board is a measure of real-time labor demand captured through online job ads. The Conference Board compiles online job ads from over 1,200 job boards and publishes the data in an online application that covers national, state, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and county levels, detailed by occupation, industry and employer. Since the online ads are a direct indication of hiring intent by employers, they serve as a measure of labor demand. Reports of hiring demand by area, industry, occupation and employer are a valuable tool for identifying employment opportunities and helping with the reemployment of Florida’s out-of-work citizens. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics compiles and publishes reports every month from Help Wanted Online that show hiring demand at both the state level and the regional workforce board level.