Topics Related to Workforce

North Carolina’s May Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted May 2022 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, remaining unchanged from April’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.6 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 33,419 over the month to 4,916,580 and increased 218,327 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,361 over the month to 170,970 and decreased 76,321 over the year.

North Carolina’s April County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 83 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in four, and remained unchanged in 13. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.4 percent while Orange and Chatham Counties each had the lowest at 2.6 percent. Twelve of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and three remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5.8 percent while Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.4 percent.

North Carolina’s April Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2022 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 30,263 over the month to 4,883,507 and increased 203,995 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 3,917 over the month to 173,348 and decreased 79,156 over the year.

North Carolina’s March County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 85 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in three, and remained unchanged in 12. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.7 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.1 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

North Carolina Department of Commerce Honors Autism Acceptance Month

In an effort to promote inclusive hiring practices for businesses across North Carolina and improve the state’s labor supply, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has spearheaded an educational campaign on Autism Acceptance Month. The department has provided a series of outreach and engagement activities designed to educate staff on the meaning and prevalence of autism, sharing resources for neurodiverse staff and family, and promoting programs that increase employment for ASD individuals.

North Carolina’s March Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2022 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 25,123 over the month to 4,853,239 and increased 191,889 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 9,880 over the month to 177,303 and decreased 80,734 over the year.

North Carolina’s February County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 50 of North Carolina’s counties in February, increased in 12, and remained unchanged in 38. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 2.5 percent. Nine of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one increased, and five remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 6.2 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 2.9 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

NCWorks Commission Votes to Recommend Enhanced Alignment of Workforce and Economic Development

The NCWorks Commission, the state workforce development board, voted today to recommend that the regions currently served by 23 local workforce development boards be realigned to help support economic development activities and better meet the needs of employers seeking to fill jobs. Should local elected officials across the state choose to follow the Commission’s recommendation, any resulting requests for realignment of the current 23 local administrative areas could become effective in 2023, in a process that is governed by federal law.

North Carolina’s February Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2022 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.

North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 1.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 18,085 over the month to 4,827,774 and increased 183,269 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 10,157 over the month to 187,258 and decreased 75,556 over the year.

Governor Cooper Encourages Employers to Apply for HIRE Vets Medallion Program

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, 2022.