Topics Related to Workforce

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded business services grants to 14 local workforce development boards, totaling $490,000, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.Workforce boards will use the grants to convene local and regional partners and employers, and to plan and develop strategies and initiatives for evidence-based, in-demand industry sector partnerships to meet the needs of businesses in subsectors of Advanced Manufacturing, including those focused on clean energy.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 95 of North Carolina’s counties in December 2023, increased in three, and remained unchanged in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Buncombe County had the lowest at 2.4 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.5 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted December 2023 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from November’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 39 of North Carolina’s counties in November 2023, decreased in 17, and remained unchanged in 44. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Buncombe and Swain Counties each had the lowest at 2.6 percent. Five of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases, two decreased, and eight remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 4.6 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.8 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted November 2023 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from October’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.7 percent.

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 84 of North Carolina’s counties in October 2023, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in 11. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent while Swain County had the lowest at 2.6 percent. Fourteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases and one remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Fayetteville and Rocky Mount each had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.8 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.3 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted October 2023 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, unchanged from September’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased 0.5 of a percentage point from a year ago. The number of people employed increased 5,231 over the month to 5,093,141 and increased 132,990 over the year. The number of people unemployed increased 2,815 over the month to 179,425 and decreased 23,098 over the year.

North Carolina will celebrate “Employ A Veteran Week,” November 6-10, with a variety of events that help connect veterans to jobs and other services, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.“As America’s most military and veteran-friendly state, we express our deep gratitude to those who have served our country in uniform, as well as their families,” Governor Cooper said. “We can honor our heroes by helping them get good paying jobs in growing industries that need their skills and dedication.”

Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in September 2023 and increased in two. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.6 percent while Swain and Buncombe Counties each had the lowest at 2.5 percent. All 15 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate decreases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 4.5 percent while Asheville had the lowest at 2.7 percent. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.2 percent.

The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2023 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, an increase of 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent.