Topics Related to Workforce

The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, is seeking applications for a competitive reentry grant to support local efforts in addressing workforce challenges, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

As part of Governor Cooper’s NC Job Ready initiative, the NCWorks Local Innovation Fund plans to award a grant of up to $125,000, supporting a local partnership working to make a lasting impact on reentry efforts. This round of grant-making will support a two-year implementation grant.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 44 of North Carolina’s counties in March 2024, increased in 22, and remained unchanged in 34. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.8 percent. Six of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, four decreased, and five remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.0 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,280 over the month to 5,074,635 and increased 39,323 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 1,098 over the month to 185,549 and increased 11,489 over the year.

Samantha Cole has been named the first Child Care Business Liaison at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today. Cole brings nearly a decade of experience in economic development and government to the newly created position.

Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders are encouraging North Carolina employers to hire veterans and to apply for recognition with a HIRE Vets Medallion Award, an official program of the U.S. Department of Labor.

The application period runs through April 30, 2024.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 50 of North Carolina’s counties in February 2024, decreased in fourteen, and remained unchanged in 36. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.7 percent while Watauga County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Thirteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, one decreased, and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.1 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 3.1 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

Andrea DeSantis, Ph.D., will serve as the next North Carolina Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS), Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders announced today. She will succeed current Assistant Secretary Chet Mottershead, who is retiring and will remain at the agency for a short time during the transition period.

DeSantis most recently served as a Policy Advisor for Governor Roy Cooper, focusing on issues of workforce development and higher education.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded grants totaling $750,000 to three local Workforce Development Boards to support the creation of Local Reentry Councils (LRCs). These new groups will collaborate with workforce development partners, the N.C. Department of Adult Correction and others in their communities to support justice-involved people in making a successful transition to employment, which in turn promotes public safety.

The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 3,135 over the month to 5,071,461 and increased 50,979 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,265 over the month to 184,472 and increased 6,541 over the year.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January 2024. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent while Greene County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.0 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.