Topics Related to Workforce

Federal Grant to Help Expand North Carolina Apprenticeship Program

North Carolina will bolster its investments in business growth and the skills of young adults by expanding apprenticeship programs across the state.
Governor Pat McCrory secured an additional $500,000 for apprenticeships, as well as $110,000 in tuition waivers for youth apprentices enrolled in North Carolina’s community college system in 2016-17. Under McCrory’s leadership, the state has eliminated the fees for participating businesses and doubled the number of new apprentices in a two-year period.

North Carolina's May County and Area Employment Figures Released

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in May and remained unchanged in two.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.5 percent.  Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 6.9 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.7 percent.  The May not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.7 percent.

North Carolina's May Employment Figures Released

—The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, decreasing 0.3 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate.  The national rate declined 0.3 of a percentage point to 4.7 percent.

North Carolina’s May 2016 unemployment rate was 0.7 of a percentage point lower than a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 6,870 over the month to 4,618,342 and increased 142,023 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 13,589 over the month to 250,544, and decreased 25,278 over the year.

North Carolina's April County and Area Employment Figures Released

—Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in April, increased in three, and remained unchanged in two.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 3.7 percent.  Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases and one remained unchanged. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.6 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 3.9 percent.  The April not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.0 percent.

North Carolina's April Employment Figures Released

— The state's seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate was 5.4 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from March's revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 5.0 percent.

North Carolina's April 2016 unemployment rate was 0.4 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 20,245 over the month to 4,611,868 and increased 141,785 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 1,357 over the month to 264,491, and decreased 10,571 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. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 13.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.2 percent. All 15 of the state's metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 7.6 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 4.4 percent. The March not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.4 percent.

North Carolina's March Employment Figures Released

—The state's seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, remaining unchanged from February's revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 5.0 percent.

North Carolina's March 2016 unemployment rate was 0.3 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 34,284 over the month to 4,591,429 and increased 128,774 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 131 over the month to 265,918, and decreased 7,017 over the year.

North Carolina's February County and Area Employment Figures Released

— Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 32 of North Carolina's counties in February, increased in 30, and remained unchanged in 38. Hyde County had the highest unemployment rate at 15.3 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.4 percent. Three of the state's metro areas experienced rate increases, two experienced decreases, and 10 remained unchanged. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.1 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville had the lowest rate at 4.7 percent. The February not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.7 percent.

North Carolina's February Employment Figures Released

— The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 5.5 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent.

North Carolina’s February 2016 unemployment rate was 0.2 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 25,687 over the month to 4,557,152 and increased 103,145 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 164 over the month to 266,243, and decreased 3,998 over the year.

North Carolina's January County and Area Unemployment 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 15.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 4.5 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount at 8.0 percent experienced the highest rate and Asheville and Raleigh each had the lowest rate at 4.8 percent. The January not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 5.8 percent.