Topics Related to Workforce

Several North Carolina Local Workforce Development Board Area Boundaries to Change July 1

Governor Roy Cooper announced several realignments of local workforce development areas today, approving requests from local elected officials in six counties in central North Carolina. The Governor’s action followed recommendations from the NCWorks Commission, the state workforce development board, which voted in favor of the requests during a February 8 meeting in Raleigh. 

The six counties are:

North Carolina 1099-G Tax Forms for Unemployment Benefits Now Available Online

People paid unemployment benefits in 2022 can now view or download their 1099-G tax statements through their secure, online account accessible from the N.C. Division of Employment Security’s website.  Paper copies were mailed by January 31 to those who requested that method to receive their tax statement, with mail delivery of those documents expected in early February.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Helped North Carolina Employers Hire more than 91,000 Workers in 2022

The North Carolina Department of Commerce issued more than 91,000 Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) certifications to employers in 2022, the department’s Workforce Solutions division announced today. That represented a more than 13 percent increase in the number of certifications compared to the 2021 calendar year, indicating that more people found jobs thanks to the financial support the program provides to employers.

North Carolina's December County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 96 of North Carolina’s counties in December and increased in four. Tyrell County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.1 percent while Buncombe, Greene, Orange, and Watauga Counties each had the lowest at 2.5 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.2 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.5 percent. The December not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent.

North Carolina’s December Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted December 2022 unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 2,447 over the month to 4,923,281 and increased 138,612 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 486 over the month to 200,940 and decreased 6,123 over the year.

Secretary Sanders Statement on Fidelity Investments’ New Invest in My Education (ME)℠ Initiative

Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders issued a statement today, following Fidelity Investments’ announcement of its Invest in My Education (ME)℠ initiative:

N.C. Commerce Department Employee Receives 2023 John R. Larkins Award

Felicia Culbreath-Setzer, NCWorks Regional Operations Director for the Northwest Prosperity Zone at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, was honored today as the recipient of the 2023 John R. Larkins Award.

North Carolina's November County and Area Unemployment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 92 of North Carolina’s counties in November, increased in four, and remained unchanged in four. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.3 percent while Buncombe and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.0 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.9 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The November not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.8 percent.

North Carolina’s November Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2022 unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 8,381 over the month to 4,925,524 and increased 141,392 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 6,442 over the month to 200,523 and decreased 10,115 over the year.

North Carolina Department of Commerce Accepting Applications from State Government Agencies, Nonprofits for Work-Based Learning Grants

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is now accepting applications from other state agencies and non-profit organizations for special grants designed to help small businesses train workers. The department’s Workforce Solutions division is making up to $2 million available for these grants, from federal funds allocated to North Carolina through the American Rescue Plan Act.