Unemployment falls again in Manatee County, Florida, U.S.

MANATEE -- Unemployment in Florida dropped again in October. The state's unemployment rate is at 5.1 percent, down 0.7 percentage points from last year according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Out of a 9.5 million-person labor force, 492,000 Floridians were jobless.

Both the Manatee County and Sarasota County rates fell 0.2 percentage points since September to 4.9 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively. Florida saw an increase of almost 240,000 seasonally adjusted nonagricultural jobs between 2015 and 2014. Statewide, professional and business services saw the most job growth with leisure and hospitality and education and health services not far behind.

Sears, BB&T and Fastenal posted the most jobs with CareerSource Suncoast in October, according to Jen Bartolone, spokeswoman for the organization. Customer service representatives, retail salespersons and registered nurses were the three most-posted occupations in the Suncoast region.

"Employers are ramping up their hiring," Bartolone said. At the beginning of October, CareerSource Suncoast hosted a job fair with more than 60 employers and over 700 job seekers.

"While seasonal jobs are naturally on the rise this time of year, many openings are full time permanent," Bartolone said. The School District of Manatee County, Tropicana and IMG Academy all currently have openings.

To support the growth of insurance companies, the State College of Florida recently introduced a Specialization in Risk Management and Insurance for its Associate of Science in Business degree. After completing the program students will qualify for three professional insurance licenses.

"We have partnered with several community businesses who support this program," George Cubberly, director of SCF's insurance program said in a release. "Estimates that shed light on employment opportunities in this field are: annual job growth at 4,537; annual openings/replacements 7,406; and forecasted 9.7 percent growth over the next eight years."

The October 2015 U.S. unemployment rate is 5 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from September.

Janelle O'Dea, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow her on Twitter

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Unemployment falls again in Manatee County, Florida, U.S. ."