Topics Related to Workforce

Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education co-chaired by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt and Senator Jim Burgin released its interim report outlining six recommendations to make high-quality child care more accessible, affordab

Today at Central Piedmont Community College, Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce

The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in April 2025. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 4.9 percent while Currituck and Camden Counties each had the lowest at 2.7 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 81 over the month to 5,098,151 and increased 1,063 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,173 over the month to 196,360 and increased 7,959 over the year.

Work-Based Learning (WBL) grants have provided training and skill development to 823 workers across North Carolina through a partnership between the N.C. Department of Commerce and local Workforce Development Boards—surpassing the original goal of 668 participants.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 43 counties in March 2025, increased in 29, and remained unchanged in 28. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.8 percent while Camden County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. Seven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, five decreased, and three remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Asheville had the highest rate at 4.8 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 4.2 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 574 over the month to 5,098,097 and increased 1,627 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 350 over the month to 195,233 and increased 8,235 over the year.

Governor Josh Stein’s new Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships held its first meeting today in Raleigh. This Council brings together state officials, education leaders, employers and other stakeholders to consider ways to enhance North Carolina’s workforce. The Council will develop strategies to ensure that economic growth continues, employers have the talent they need, and jobseekers have pathways to careers that support thriving families and communities.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 counties in February 2025, increased in four, and remained unchanged in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent while Camden County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Asheville had the highest rate at 5.5 percent while Raleigh had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.