Topics Related to Workforce

Governor Cooper Appoints Pryor Gibson head of Division of Employment Security

Today, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Tony Copeland announced that Pryor Gibson will serve as the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Employment Security (DES). He assumes the role immediately, and will be responsible for the Division’s operations, communication and accountability.

“Pryor Gibson is a forceful presence to lead DES during this unprecedented economic stress,” said Secretary Copeland.

North Carolina’s April Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 12.2 percent, increasing 7.9 percentage points from March’s revised rate. The national rate increased 10.3 percentage points to 14.7 percent.

North Carolina’s April 2020 unemployment rate increased 8.1 percentage points from a year ago. The number of people employed decreased 643,157 over the month to 4,112,383 and decreased 744,300 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 357,418 over the month to 573,118 and increased 367,922 over the year.

March 2020 Monthly Unemployment Insurance Claims Now Available

More information about the people applying for unemployment insurance benefits in North Carolina in March was published today by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  The new data regarding claims for benefits include details about the applicants’ demographics, the industries impacted, and the number of claims received from each of the state’s 100 counties.

North Carolina’s March County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 97 of North Carolina’s counties in March, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in one. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.1 percent, while Buncombe, Alexander, and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 3.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 5.5 percent and Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest rate at 3.6 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.2 percent.

North Carolina’s March Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, increasing 0.8 of a percentage point from February’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.9 of a percentage point to 4.4 percent.

North Carolina’s February County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in February. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent, while Buncombe and Orange Counties each had the lowest at 2.9 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 4.9 percent and Asheville and Durham-Chapel Hill each had the lowest rate at 3.1 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7 percent.

North Carolina’s February Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

North Carolina’s February 2020 unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 6,250 over the month to 4,931,991 and increased 84,031 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 2,293 over the month to 182,598 and decreased 22,068 over the year.

North Carolina’s January County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in January. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 14.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.2 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville had the highest rate at 5.3 percent and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.4 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.1 percent.

North Carolina’s January Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, remaining unchanged from December’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent.

NCWorks Commission approves four-year workforce plan for state

The NCWorks Commission, North Carolina’s workforce development board, today released a new plan that outlines the state’s workforce development strategy over the next four years. Required by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), this Unified State Plan will be submitted to the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education.