Press Releases

This press release, first published on March 11, 2019, has been updated to now include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' historical revisions for all labor force data, including updated information for the January 2018 labor force data as well as the reported over-the-year changes. The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.0 percent.

Six local partnerships across North Carolina have won grants totaling almost $1.5 million to support efforts to connect people with the skills they need to get good-paying jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. He made the announcement at the North Carolina Research Campus location of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, lead partner for one of the innovative programs awarded a grant. 

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in December and remained unchanged in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.0 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.1 percent. The December not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.8 percent.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce issued more than 75,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) certifications to more than 2,500 employers in 2018, the department’s Workforce Solutions division announced today. Both figures represented increases from 2017. The WOTC is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire individuals from eligible target groups who are qualified for positions but face significant barriers to employment. In North Carolina, the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) administers WOTC and determines eligibility for the target groups.

To promote workforce development and strengthen connections between education and job readiness, Governor Roy Cooper has declared the week of January 28-February 1, 2019 as Career Pathways Week in North Carolina. During the week, regional NCWorks Career Pathways teams will host workshops across the state aimed at raising awareness among K-12 and community college career counselors and teachers, as well as professionals who serve Vocational Rehabilitation clients and other special populations.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent. North Carolina’s December 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,299 over the month to 4,818,454 and increased 74,190 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,173 over the month to 178,436 and decreased 43,413 over the year. 

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 56 of North Carolina’s counties in November, decreased in 14, and remained unchanged in 30. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Five of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, three decreased, and seven remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from October’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent. North Carolina’s November 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.9 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,415 over the month to 4,814,098 and increased 68,418 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 4,294 over the month to 177,230 and decreased 44,690 over the year.

North Carolina is already benefiting from collaborative efforts to establish regional career pathways across the state, according to a new report prepared for the NCWorks Commission, Governor Roy Cooper’s statewide workforce development board. The state now has 35 NCWorks Certified Career Pathways, and the “impact report” focuses on the thirteen that had reached one year of implementation by June 30, 2018.

Seven additional counties are now eligible to participate in the temporary employment program that puts North Carolinians to work on recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Florence, N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today. To date, 51 counties have been declared eligible for the program.