Topics Related to Workforce

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 57 counties, increased in eight, and remained unchanged in 35 in April 2026. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Eight of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one experienced a rate increase, and six remained the same. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.6 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

Today Governor Josh Stein joined Pitt Community College President Maria Pharr and Tiana Berryman, Greenville’s Director of Neighborhood and Business Services, to highlight how the community college’s construction and industrial technology program is preparing students for the construction workforce.

Today Governor Josh Stein announced BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA), a global product leader of sustainable mobility solutions, will add 378 jobs in Henderson County. The company says it plans to invest $100 million in Hendersonville to vertically integrate its operations and produce critical components to support business growth. 

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, remaining unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.3 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 9,660 over the month to 5,097,931 and increased 9,126 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 482 over the month to 196,615 and decreased 4,535 over the year.

Today Governor Josh Stein celebrated North Carolina’s child care providers and presented a

Today Governor Josh Stein and the NC Department of Commerce announced North Carolina’s new "First in Opportunity” Strategic Economic Development Plan – a comprehensive statewide roadmap designed to guide North Carolina’s next phase of ec

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in March 2026. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent while Stanly and Currituck Counties each had the lowest at 2.8 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.7 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent.

Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships is launching an effort to engage 50,000 employers as partners in building North Carolina’s talent pipeline. Reaching that level of connection with employers is one of the 11 goals that the Council established last year for growing the state’s workforce development efforts. 

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2026 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.3 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 3,097 over the month to 5,107,523 and increased 18,671 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,946 over the month to 197,113 and decreased 4,109 over the year.

The North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education, co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), convened today at the State Government Complex in Downtown Raleigh to brief legislators and the public on ways child care access affects our economy. Task Force members led the briefing alongside business community leaders and business executives who participate in ExCEL NC (Executives Championing Early Learning in North Carolina).