Topics Related to Workforce

N.C. Commerce awards grants to three local workforce boards for Youth Initiatives

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded grants totaling almost $288,000 to support three innovative youth workforce development projects, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

“Business leaders tell me their number one need is skilled talent, especially as we emerge from the pandemic. These Youth Initiative Grants will help those businesses by preparing young people with the experience and training they need to get the good paying jobs they provide,” said Governor Cooper.

North Carolina’s May County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 77 of North Carolina’s counties in May, decreased in eight, and remained unchanged in 15. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.3 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 6.5 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.7 percent. The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.5 percent.

North Carolina to Add More Than 300,000 New Jobs Over the Next Decade

More than 300,000 new jobs will be created in North Carolina by 2028, most in service-providing industry sectors, according to new employment projections released by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  Most industry sectors operating in the state are projected to grow, with jobs in both health care and professional, scientific, and technical fields expected to grow the most.

North Carolina’s May Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point to 5.8 percent.

North Carolina’s May 2021 unemployment rate decreased 8.7 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 4,550 over the month to 4,757,351 and increased 605,656 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 11,691 over the month to 239,523 and decreased 407,991 over the year.

North Carolina’s April County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 91 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in seven, and remained unchanged in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.5 percent while Orange County 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 6.3 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.5 percent. The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.4 percent.

North Carolina’s April Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 6.1 percent.

North Carolina’s April 2021 unemployment rate decreased 8.5 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,497 over the month to 4,761,974 and increased 707,042 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 8,109 over the month to 250,865 and decreased 383,958 over the year.

North Carolina’s March County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in March. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.9 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 6.4 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 3.8 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.6 percent.

North Carolina’s March Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, decreasing 0.5 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 6.0 percent.

North Carolina’s March 2021 unemployment rate increased 1.3 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 11,338 over the month to 4,757,553 and increased 44,472 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 27,619 over the month to 259,036 and increased 70,274 over the year.

North Carolina’s February County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 96 of North Carolina’s counties in February, increased in three, and remained unchanged in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 10.9 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 4.0 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 7.8 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh each had the lowest at 4.7 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.6 percent.

North Carolina’s February Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.7 percent, decreasing 0.2 points from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 points to 6.2 percent.

North Carolina’s February 2021 unemployment rate increased 2.1 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 4,804 over the month to 4,746,591 and decreased 175,050 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 10,931 over the month to 286,788 and increased 103,294 over the year.