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Some Fields Adding Jobs

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

TAMPA - According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, construction jobs have taken the biggest hit in the past year.

Florida lost 81,600 construction jobs, accounting for 52 percent of the state's job losses. Manufacturing dropped 6.4 percent, losing 24,900 jobs; professional and business services lost 1.8 percent, or 24,100 jobs.

The information industry experienced a 3.3 percent drop, losing 5,300 jobs; professional and business services fell by 1.8 percent, or 24,100 jobs; financial activities lost 7,700 jobs, or 1.4 percent; and trade, transportation and utilities has 13,200 fewer jobs, or .8 percent less.

The agency attributed those declines partially to weaknesses in the manufacture of fabricated metal products, employment services, building materials and garden supplies, credit intermediation and the publishing industry.

It's not all bad news. Some Florida industries are on the rise. Education and health services, leisure and hospitality businesses and wholesale trade experienced increases in their employment rates.

For those seeking jobs or job services, there is help available, said Monesia Brown, director of the statewide Agency for Workforce Innovation.

"Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature recently reaffirmed their commitment to stimulating the economy by approving the state's budget that includes nearly $10 billion for projects that create jobs for Floridians," Brown said. "The budget includes the allocation of $20 million to assist citizens in acquiring gainful employment and an additional $15 million for specialized workforce development programs benefiting targeted groups."

Among the items in the budget is $7 million for the "Ready to Work" program, enabling Floridians to improve their job skills, and $1.25 million for retraining and employment in the space industry.

D'Ann Lawrence White

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