HICKORY — Unemployment in the Greater Hickory area rose in June, increasing in all four of the region’s counties. The jump followed an increase in joblessness reported in May, which was the first time in four months the region’s unemployment rate had risen. According to Tuesday’s report from the North Carolina Department of Commerce Labor and Economic Analysis Division, the Hickory region’s unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in June, up from 10.1 percent in May. The region’s rate was 11.2 percent in June 2012. Among the state’s 14 metropolitan statistical areas, the Greater Hickory area had the secondhighest jobless rate in June. The Rocky Mount region’s unemployment rate of 13.3 percent was the state’s highest. Catawba County’s unemployment rate was 10.8 percent in June, up from 10.2 percent in May. The rate was 11.3 percent in June 2012. The county’s jobless rate peaked at 15.6 percent in March 2009, the highest it has been since 1975. While Catawba County saw a rise in unemployment from May to June, it is encouraging that the jobless rate was lower than it was in June 2012, said Ronne Grantham, manager of the N.C. Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions office here. Comparing year to year, we’re still seeing a downward trend, she said. Grantham said her office is seeing numerous job listings, and encourages job seekers to check with the office daily. She also noted that two new workshops for job seekers will be offered from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every other Thursday beginning this week. The workshop that begins this week focuses on soft skills. The one that begins next week will include area human resource managers and will focus on “What Employers Want.” Participants must call 828-466-5535 to register. Offered in cooperation with JobLink, the free workshops are scheduled through October. Other area jobless rates for June were 9.6 percent in Alexander County, up from 9.1 percent in May; 10.4 percent in Burke County, up from 10.2 percent in May; and 10.3 percent in Caldwell County, up from 10.2 percent in May. Compared to May, there were 590 more people in June considered unemployed in the Greater Hickory Metro, according to updated figures from the state. Compared to May, there were 424 more people in June considered unemployed in Catawba County. Hickory’s unemployment rate in June was 10.2 percent, up from 9.3 percent in May. Hickory’s rate was 10.3 percent in June 2012. According to Tuesday’s report, unemployment rates increased in 81 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in June, decreased in 14 and remained the same in five. All 14 of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Currituck County had the state’s lowest unemployment rate in June, at 5.8 percent. Scotland County had the highest jobless rate, at 16.2 percent. Statewide, the unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in June, up from 8.9 percent in May. The national jobless rate was 7.6 percent in June, unchanged from May.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 21:05:43 +0000
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