Hiring boom continues

September isn't usually a big hiring month in Florida because it's the slowest time of year for tourism and hospitality.

But judging by the most recent employment data and anecdotal evidence of job fairs on the Gulf Coast, employers aren't waiting for the busy winter season.

That's because the unemployment rate has declined to where the balance has shifted in favor of employees. That rate has fallen below 5% in three Gulf Coast counties: Pinellas (4.7%), Hillsborough (4.9%) and Sarasota (4.9%).

Three regions on the Gulf Coast posted higher annual-percentage employment gains than the state's 3% in September. Those regions include Lakeland-Winter Haven (3.9%), Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island (3.3%) and Punta Gorda (3.3%).

Some counties on the Gulf Coast might have posted higher employment gains save for one problem: not enough qualified employees. And in some skilled trades in construction, some employers have reported rivals poaching employees with promises of higher pay.