UPDATE: The State Of The Central Florida Job Market And Forecast For 2014

By: Roger Lear  @rogerlear1

The Central Florida Employment Council (CFEC.org) January meeting was to layout the economic forecast for 2014 for the Central Florida region.  Neil Hamilton from the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Juliana Pena from Orange County Government (office of economic development) and Lisa Hancock of Manpower all presented their forecasts for what to expect when it comes to employment in 2104.

Here are some of the interesting findings from these presentations.

Orlando MSA unemployment rate currently under both United States and the state of Florida.

Orlando MSA has regained 83,600 jobs since the recession.  Need to get to 103,600 to be back at normal employment.

Three Orlando MSA sectors saw good gains in 2013.  Leisure and Hospitality (221,200 people), Professional Services (177,900 up from 171,000) and Education and Health (135,900).

Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission predicts a net gain of 28,200 jobs projected for 2014 (Orlando MSA).

Factors for this prediction include housing starts increasing and migration to Florida really picking up.

Globally, Taiwan, India, New Zealand, Colombia and Singapore are in significant hiring mode.  Very weak hiring in Italy, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Slovakia and Belgium.  

Most difficult jobs to fill:  (Manpower Survey for 1st Quarter 2014):


Skill trades
Sales
Drivers
IT
Accounting and Finance
Engineers
Technicians
Machinists
Mechanics
Teachers

What does all this mean for Central Florida?  Some pretty good indicators that we may get back to employment levels in 2014 we have not seen since 2007.  In addition to this information, we have SunRail starting this year, the opening of the VA Hospital in Medical City, the opening of the Arts Center in downtown Orlando, a great medical simulation industry and the ongoing building of creative village.

If you are an employer or recruiter and would like to attend the CFEC employer monthly meetings, all the information can be found here or email Paulette at cfec@cfec.org.   @cfecorg

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