Topics Related to Workforce

Folwell to Lead Commerce Division of Employment Security

Secretary Sharon Decker today announced that Dale Folwell will become the Assistant Secretary of Employment Security at the N.C. Department of Commerce.  

“We’re putting more emphasis on customer service by increasing access to programs that help unemployed individuals rejoin the workforce while streamlining the process to ensure legitimate claims are processed quickly,” said Decker. “We must also improve communications with employers and prevent the release of improper benefits in order to strengthen the integrity of the NC unemployment insurance system.”

GOV. PERDUE ANNOUNCES LIBRARY-BASED 'JOBSEARCH HELP DESK'

IGH— Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the JobSearch Help Desk, which will train librarians to help patrons connect with employers and conduct job searches at public libraries. Partners in the project are the State Library at the Department of Cultural Resources, the Employment Security Commission and the Department of Commerce.

Gov. Perdue Launches "12 in 6" Worker Training Initiative

RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today launched “12 in 6”, a workforce development initiative designed to benefit North Carolinians who have lost their jobs due to recent layoffs and plant closures or other job seekers.  The initiative will create community college programs in 12 careers, each requiring less than six months to complete.  The N.C. Community College System and the N.C. Department of Commerce are collaborating on the program as part of Gov. Perdue’s larger JobsNOW initiative, which focuses on job creation and economic development.

Gov. Perdue Announces Strategic Steps for Workforce Recovery in Charlotte Area

Gov. Bev Perdue today released the recommendations of her Charlotte-area workforce recovery task force, a group she convened in the first weeks of her administration and headed by UNC Associate Vice President for Economic Development Research, Policy and Planning Leslie Boney. The series of strategic steps focus on providing resources and funding to make it easier for unemployed workers to find new employment.

Survey of NC Employers Supports NC Job Ready Initiative to Match Worker Skills to Employer Need

Half of North Carolina employers are having difficulty filling open positions, according to the results of a new survey of business hiring needs from late 2016 to early 2018. The 2018 Employer Needs Survey is published by the NCWorks Commission and conducted on its behalf by the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD). 

First Lady Kristin Cooper Presents Luggage of Hope Donations

North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper commended North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) employees today for leading a statewide drive to benefit young people in North Carolina’s out-of-home care system. Raleigh-based DWS staff launched the Luggage of Hope service project to provide luggage and toiletries to ease transitions for children in foster care.

North Carolina’s May County and Area Employment Figures Released

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 60 of North Carolina’s counties in May, increased in eight, and remained unchanged in 32.  Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 7.5 percent, while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.8 percent.  Seven of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases, one increased, and seven remained unchanged.

North Carolina’s May Employment Figures Released

The state’s seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, decreasing 0.1 of a percentage point from April’s revised rate.  The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.

North Carolina’s May 2018 unemployment rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point from a year ago.  The number of people employed increased 12,280 over the month to 4,774,254 and increased 64,944 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 5,969 over the month to 213,611 and decreased 6,727 over the year..   

Harvard Kennedy School to Support Improvements to North Carolina Workforce Services

The Government Performance Lab (GPL) at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University announced today that North Carolina will benefit from the assistance of a government performance expert, at no cost to taxpayers. This new collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Harvard Kennedy School marks the first time that the state has been awarded technical assistance by the GPL.  North Carolina was one of six jurisdictions selected to receive pro bono technical assistance. 

NCWorks Commission Approves Career Pathways, Certifies Centers

With Governor Roy Cooper in attendance, the NCWorks Commission met on May 23 to approve new Career Pathways, certify Career Centers and celebrate local innovations in workforce development. The group held its quarterly meeting at Moretz Mills in Hickory, marking the first time the Commission has met in western North Carolina.