Topics Related to Workforce

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in October and decreased in one. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.1 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.2 percent while Asheville, Durham-Chapel Hill, and Raleigh each had the lowest at 3.3 percent. The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.9 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted October 2022 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, increasing 0.2 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 10,310 over the month to 4,933,609 and increased 154,352 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 9,944 over the month to 194,125 and decreased 23,846 over the year.

North Carolina will celebrate “Employ A Veteran Week,” November 7-11, with a variety of events that help connect veterans to jobs and other services, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded 20 special grants to 11 local workforce development boards, totaling $8.45 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Boards will use the grants to help jobseekers and small businesses with training and other services in response to a tight labor market. These include programs for individuals who are in the reentry process and individuals with or at risk of substance abuse. Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds are supporting this initiative.