Blog Entry List

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to record-high job losses across the nation. However, throughout much of the pandemic, employers have reported difficulty finding the workers they need to fill open positions. How can we explain this apparent contradiction? This article uses newly released data from North Carolina’s Labor Supply and Demand Dashboard to illustrate the trends underlying this unprecedented combination of mass layoffs and labor shortages.

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) is a valuable source of data on North Carolina’s workforce. However, like most data series, QCEW data are periodically revised to incorporate improved estimation methodologies or to expand the information offered to data users. This article describes upcoming changes to North Carolina’s QCEW data and explains what these changes mean for you.

In May, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased in 77 of North Carolina's 100 counties.

North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from April’s revised rate of 5.0 percent.

In a previous article, we shared how NCcareers.org can help individuals discover jobs that their education has prepared them for and that those jobs can often go beyond the obvious ties. This article will address another challenge that recent graduates often face; how to identify jobs that can help advance a career.

In April, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 91 of North Carolina's 100 counties.

North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from March’s revised rate of 5.2 percent.

As the calendar turns to May, students who don caps and gowns for graduation often hear, "Congratulations for earning that degree, now what are you going to do?" Which is sometimes a tough question to answer for those looking for a job.

According to the US Census/BLS Current Population Survey, unemployment in North Carolina among those ages 16 to 24 dropped from 34.7% in April 2020 to 4.7% in March 2021 – nearing the 25-year low.

Upon launch of the NEW NCcareers.org on July 15,2020 we shared that additional site updates would be coming.  In the nine months since, we have been working to develop new features, add information and tools, and enhance the usability and functionality of the site. Now it’s time to show off this work in a big update to NCcareers.org. 

In March, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in all of North Carolina's 100 counties.

North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from February’s revised rate of 5.7 percent.

In February, not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased in 96 of North Carolina's 100 counties.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to record-high job losses. The task of identifying programs and services that advance the career prospects of laid-off workers is more important than ever. In a recent study, we use data from the North Carolina Common Follow-up System to evaluate the impact of registered apprenticeship on individuals who lost their job during the Great Recession, finding that apprenticeship can be an effective strategy for improving the long-term outcomes of workers displaced during an economic downturn.

North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from January’s revised rate of 5.9 percent.