Florida employers are expected to increase hiring in the fourth quarter, according to a Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
For some Boca Grande businesses, such as the Gasparilla Inn & Club, hiring commenced in the third quarter and will continue in the fourth.
"We hired 22 people from the Sept. 19 job fair at The Inn," said Jack Damioli, general manager and president "We are not yet fully staffed and will continue to hire as needed during the season. We are still looking for talented individuals to join our team on all fronts - management, seasonal and year-around staff, depending upon the position."
Article Photos
Jack Damioli
From October to December, 18 percent of companies interviewed plan to hire more employees. The Manpower net employment outlook is 10 percent, up from 4 percent a year ago. ??
"This survey confirms that employers are experiencing positive gains in their business and feeling more optimistic, which leads to more hiring and more jobs," said Gov. Rick Scott in a press release. "We have more work to do, but we are continuing to make Florida the No.1 business destination in the world by creating an environment that encourages job creation."??
Job prospects appear best in construction, durable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail trade, financial activities, professional and business services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, other services and government.
Employers in non-durable goods manufacturing and information plan to reduce staffing.
Florida has created 156,800 private sector jobs since December 2010, and has experienced positive annual job growth 26 consecutive months.
State job growth has been positive 12 of the last 15 months.
Florida job postings increased 15.1 percent in September compared with September 2011 by 35,277 for a total of 268,575 openings.
The 24 Regional Workforce Boards reported more than 52,983 Floridians found jobs during September.
Florida's unemployment rate declined to 8.7 percent for September with 3,500 new private sector jobs created. The September rate was 1.7 percentage points lower than the year-ago rate of 10.4 percent.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity report released Oct. 19 showed Lee County jobless rates, which include Boca Grande, are down from 9.5 percent in August to 9.1 percent in September.
Lee County unemployment hit its low point for the year at 8.8 percent in May. Its September jobless rate is 2.2 percentage points under the 11.3 percent rate in September 2011.
Charlotte County September unemployment dipped to 9 percent from 9.3 percent in August and Sarasota County unemployment fell to 8.7 percent in September from 8.9 percent in August.
