Topics Related to Workforce

Jessica Englert will become the North Carolina Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary of the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS), Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland has announced. She will succeed current Assistant Secretary Linda Cheatham, who will remain at the agency in a part-time role during a transition period.

Englert currently serves as Workforce Development Policy Advisor for Governor Roy Cooper. In that role, she has worked closely with DWS on the Finish Line Grants program and other elements of Gov. Cooper’s NC Job Ready initiative.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

North Carolina’s November 2019 unemployment rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 7,892 over the month to 4,932,389 and increased 130,472 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 6,711 over the month to 197,456 and increased 12,077 over the year.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 86 of North Carolina’s counties in October and remained the same in 14. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.8 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.7 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one remained the same. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.9 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.8 percent. The October not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.6 percent.

North Carolina’s County and Area Employment Figures for October 2019 will be published today, Monday November 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.

Previously, the October figures were scheduled to be published on Wednesday, November 27.  However, due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the publication schedule has been adjusted.

The revised entire publication schedule for 2019 data can be reviewed online at nccommerce.com.

The state’s seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from September’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.6 percent.

Four North Carolinians have won NCWorks Awards of Distinction for outstanding accomplishments and contributions related to workforce development. The recipients received awards on Thursday, October 24 during a ceremony held in Greensboro as part of the 32nd annual NCWorks Partnership Conference.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties in September. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 6.2 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 4.8 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 2.7 percent. The September not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.5 percent

The state’s seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.5 percent.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 26 of North Carolina’s counties in August, decreased in 40, and remained unchanged in 34. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.3 percent. Eleven of the state’s 15 metro areas experienced rate decreases while four remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount at 5.9 percent had the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.5 percent. The August not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.3 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, remaining unchanged from July’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged from July’s rate of 3.7 percent.

North Carolina’s August 2019 unemployment rate increased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 14,493 over the month to 4,899,921 and increased 105,441 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 123 over the month to 212,218 and increased 25,594 over the year.