Georgia’s jobless rate dips to 4.9 percent
State & National June 19, 2017
Georgia’s jobless rate dips to 4.9 percent in May as state sets new record for number of employed
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased for the fourth consecutive month to 4.9 percent in May, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 5 percent in April. The last time the state recorded a jobless rate as low as 4.9 percent was in October 2007. In May 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent.
“Georgia saw its unemployment rate dip below 5 percent for the first time in nearly 10 years, as more individuals gained jobs,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “It’s a testament to the attractiveness of Georgia’s job market when we continue to see more and more individuals enter and re-enter the job market and find employment.”
There were 9,685 more Georgians employed in May than in April, pushing the total number to another record of 4,788,627. The increase in the number of employed Georgians in May grew by 155,960 from May 2016.
From April to May, the labor force, which consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed and actively looking for jobs, increased by 3,664 to a record 5,034,975. As the number of employed residents rose, the number of jobless residents declined by 6,021 to 246,348. There were 14,239 fewer unemployed residents than in May 2016.
Meanwhile, the number of jobs in Georgia decreased by 3,800, or 0.1 percent, to 4,465,300. The losses were primarily seasonal jobs in professional and business services, 4,400, and leisure and hospitality, 2,200. Additional reductions came in manufacturing, 2,000; and other services such as repair, maintenance, laundry and personal services, 1,800; and information services, 1,000. The job losses were somewhat offset by growth in trade, transportation and warehousing, 3,400; government, 2,400; construction, 1,400; financial activities, 300; and education and health services, 100.
Over-the-year, Georgia gained a total of 103,100 jobs, a 2.4 percent growth rate, up from 4,362,200 in May 2016. The federal job growth rate was 1.6 percent. Georgia’s job growth came in the following employment sectors: professional and business services, 23,100; trade, transportation and warehousing, 19,800; leisure and hospitality, 15,400; education and health services, 13,100; inancial activities, 9,900; government, 9,700; construction, 7,400; information services, 3,100; and manufacturing, 1,600. Other services lost 900 jobs.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, increased by 3,234, or 14.9 percent, to 24,867. Most of the increase came in wholesale and retail trade, health care and social assistance, accommodations and food services, finance and insurance and professional, scientific and technical services. Over the year, claims were down by 5,458, or 18 percent, from 30,325 in May 2016.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 70,120 new job postings statewide for May.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-grants
CY-17-309
GDOL to Co-Sponsor Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming
Announcements October 3, 2017
GDOL to co-sponsor Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming
ATLANTA – About 60 employers will be recruiting to fill a number of jobs at the Northeast Georgia Career Fair in Cumming on Oct. 5.
The expo will be co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, WorkSource Georgia Mountains and Lanier Technical College.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College located at 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cumming.
While GDOL staff will provide workshops to aid the job seekers, local and area employers will be providing information about their companies to job seekers and recruiting qualified applicants for job openings.
Employers will be recruiting for a wide-variety of job openings in a number of fields, including information technology, telemarketing, manufacturing, construction, real estate, food service, banking, medical facilities, retail sales, education, clerical, pharmaceuticals, security, landscaping, commercial (CDL) drivers, and hotel and motel personnel, along with warehouse and other general workers.
The link below provides event details, including the list of currently registered vendors.
Job seekers interested in attending the expo may visit employgeorgia.com to create an account and upload, or prepare, a resume. Having an Employ Georgia account expedites the interview process.
Applicants are encouraged to dress appropriately to improve their opportunities for jobs.
For more information about the recruitment, contact [email protected]
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Georgia Mountains’ unemployment rate declines to 4.2 percent in March
Press Release April 27, 2017
April 27, 2017
Georgia Mountains’ unemployment rate declines to 4.2 percent in March
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains region in March was 4.2 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 4.4 percent in February. In March 2016, the rate was 4.6 percent.
The rate declined because more people became employed as the labor force continued to grow and employers laid off fewer workers.
The number of employed residents increased by 1,877 to 319,699, as the labor force grew by 1,230 to 333,555. The labor force consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed, but actively looking for jobs.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, declined by 161, or 11.8 percent, to 1,199. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 446, or 27.1 percent, from 1,645 in March 2016.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.1 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for March was 5.1 percent, down from 5.3 percent in February. It was 5.5 percent in March 2016.
Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use GDOL’s online job listing service employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In March, 2,900 new job openings in the Georgia Mountains region were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 85,055 new job openings were posted.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available atdol.georgia.gov
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate declines to 4.9 percent in March
Press Release April 27, 2017
April 27, 2017
Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate declines to 4.9 percent in March
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region in March was 4.9 percent, down three-tenths of a percentage point from 5.2 percent in February. In March 2016, the rate was 5.5 percent.
The rate declined because more people became employed as the labor force continued to grow.
The number of employed residents increased by 2,199 to 393,375, as the labor force grew by 940 to 413,528. The labor force consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed, but actively looking for jobs.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, rose by 1,038 or 39.5 percent, to 3,669. Most of the increase came in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 516, or 12.3 percent, from 4,185 in March 2016.
Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4 percent, while the River Valley region had the highest at 6.1 percent.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for March was 5.1 percent, down from 5.3 percent in February. It was 5.5 percent in March 2016.
Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use GDOL’s online job listing service employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees. In March, 4,179 new job openings in the Northwest Georgia region were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 85,055 new job openings were posted.
Local area unemployment data are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available atdol.georgia.gov
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
Employment increases in Georgia Mountains, unemployment down in September
News, State & National October 27, 2017
Employment increases in Georgia Mountains, unemployment down in September
ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today the unemployment rate in the Georgia Mountains Region fell in September as the number of employed residents increased and unemployment claims declined.
The September unemployment rate, at 3.6 percent, was down from 4.1 percent in August. The September rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 4.8 percent. The rate is one of the lowest in Georgia.
“The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a region on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the ultimate positive result.”
Butler said Wednesday that in September the number of employed residents increased by 4,183 to 327,389. There were 13,435 more employed residents in the area than in September 2016.
Unemployment claims were down by 9.8 percent to 944. Claims were down in manufacturing. When compared to last September, claims were down by 23.2 percent from 1,229.
“Not only is the region producing good jobs, it’s putting people to work,” Butler said. “That’s great to see for the Georgia Mountains.”
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 2,071 new active job postings in the Georgia Mountains region for September.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Employment Up, Unemployment Rate Down in Georgia Mountains in August
State & National September 21, 2017
| Mark Butler | Commissioner | David Bennett | Director of Communications | |
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| Suite 642 148 Andrew Young International Blvd., NE Atlanta, GA 30303-1751 |
(404) 232-3685 [email protected] dol.georgia.gov |
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| NOTE: Audio comments from GDOL Communications Director David Bennett are available for download at:
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Employment up, unemployment rate down in Georgia Mountains in August ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that the Georgia Mountains area’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August. Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 4.1 percent, unemployment claims fell and job growth continued to climb. “The August numbers show the Georgia Mountains’ economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler. The August unemployment rate was down from 4.4 percent in July. A decline of 812 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 4.9 percent. Unemployment claims were down by 32.9 percent to 1,047 – another good sign for the Georgia Mountains’ economy. Claims were down in manufacturing. Over the year, claims were down by 28.9 percent from August 2016. There were 12,798 more area residents employed than in August 2016. “Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Butler said. “It’s great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and Georgians going back to work.”. Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 2,526 new active job postings in the Georgia Mountains region for August. Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media. DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685 |
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GDOL veterans workshop for May scheduled in Toccoa and Cornelia
Announcements May 11, 2017
| May 11, 2017
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will continue to host its quarterly workshops to help veterans apply for benefits, receive counseling and move into the workforce. Workshops are open to all veterans and their spouses/caregivers. The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the GDOL’s Toccoa Career Center located at 37 Foreacre St. A second workshop will be held on Thursday, May 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Habersham Career Center located at 215 Hodges St. in Cornelia. Workshops will continue quarterly unless noted otherwise. Representatives from several agencies will be on hand at the workshops to help with:
Veterans should bring a valid identification, including military ID cards and driver’s licenses, along with their resumes. For additional information about the workshops, contact the Toccoa Career Center at (706) 282-4514 or the Habersham Career Center at (706) 776-0811. All GDOL career centers provide a wide-range of employment services specifically for veterans. Career centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers, and to connect with us on social media. |
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Hurricane Irma Impacts State Rate
State & National October 19, 2017
Jobs decrease slightly in state, as Hurricane Irma impacts Coastal Georgia
ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Hurricane Irma caused Georgia’s job numbers to fall and unemployment claims to rise in September.
Butler noted that the state lost about 500 jobs for the month. Similarly, Georgia also saw nearly 25,000 unemployment claims filed in September. That was a modest increase from the prior month and from September 2016. A 240 percent jump for the month in the coastal region drove the statewide numbers up slightly, the commissioner said.
“Even though the hurricane did have a negative effect on Georgia’s job and unemployment claims numbers, we still had a record month for employment and persons entering the workforce,” Butler said. “This shows the strength of Georgia’s economy and job market.”
Butler noted that even though September’s numbers were impacted by Hurricane Irma those changes were not enough to significantly affect the state’s strong performance over the past 12 months. Georgia added more than 84,000 new jobs during that time, Butler said.
Further, Butler said in September the state jobless rate continued to decline. He reported the September unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, down from 4.7 percent in August. It was last that low in June 2007. The monthly rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 5.4 percent.
Butler added that employment among the state’s residents was up by 35,649 from August. That’s the largest single-month gain in at least 40 years. The labor force, which is the number of residents employed and those unemployed but actively looking for work, rose by 25,761, as the number of unemployed declined by 9,888.
“It continues to be a very good year for Georgia’s economy when you look at the whole picture,” Butler said.
With the monthly job loss, Georgia ended September with 4,497,200 total jobs. Jobs were up 1.9 percent from September 2016.
Most of the over-the-year job growth came in professional and business services, 28,200; leisure and hospitality, 19,200; education and health services, 14,600; and trade, transportation and warehousing, 10,400.
Statewide, unemployment claims were up by 3.6 percent to 24,666, due largely to temporary claims filed in manufacturing and accommodations and food services. Compared to September 2016, claims were up a modest 1.1 percent from 24,403.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 56,210 new active job postings in Georgia for September.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Georgia hits 4.5 million job mark in October
State & National November 16, 2017
Georgia hits 4.5 million job mark in October
ATLANTA – State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Georgia broke the 4.5- million jobs barrier in October, bouncing back from a job loss due to Hurricane Irma in September.
The state posted 4,510,100 jobs for the month. That preliminary number is higher than Georgia’s previous revised record of 4,497,700 set in August. In September, Georgia had a temporary setback with a job loss of 3,400.
Georgia also set records in October for labor force and the number of employed residents.
“After the effects of the storm, this month’s numbers are much closer to what we are used to seeing,” Butler said. “All the indicators – job growth, unemployment claims, labor force and employed residents – are trending in the right direction. October was a great month for a dynamic, growing state like Georgia.”
Monthly numbers can fluctuate due to short-term impacts like Irma and are subject to revisions. The story built over the year, Butler said, gives a clearer picture of the state’s economy and jobs picture because it smooths out short-term shifts seen in monthly reports.
Over the past 12 months, Georgia has added 87,800 jobs, a 2 percent growth rate. The state is outpacing the national job growth rate of 1.4 percent.
In October Georgia posted 15,800 new jobs. Growth came mostly in the private sector including, construction, 5,500 and professional and business services, 5,200. Georgia’s over-the-year job growth came mostly in the private sector. Jobs were added in professional and business services, 24,900; education and health services, 15,300; leisure and hospitality, 14,500; and trade, transportation and warehousing, 11,700.
“It’s important that Georgia is adding jobs,” Butler noted, “but it’s more important that people continue to get them. And, we continue to see both happening.”
In October, the total number of employed residents rose by 20,634 to 4,865,859. There are 173,402 more Georgians employed now than in October 2016.
At the same time, the state’s labor force, which includes the total number of Georgians with jobs and those unemployed but looking for work, rose to 5,085,519, up by 15,123 in October. The labor force is up by 123,441 since October 2016.
Butler added that the unemployment rate also continues to fall.
The unemployment rate in October was 4.3 percent, down from September’s revised number of 4.4 percent. That compares favorably to last October when the rate was 5.4 percent. The lowest jobless rate ever recorded for the state was 3.4 percent in November 2000.
Monthly unemployment claims were up by 9.6 percent to 27,040. Most of the increase came due to temporary claims filed in manufacturing. However, from October a year ago, unemployment claims were down by 7.9 percent from 29,355.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 59,231 new job postings statewide for October.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
New records set as Georgia’s jobless rate dips to 4.8 percent in June
State & National July 20, 2017
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased for the fifth consecutive month to 4.8 percent in June, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 4.9 percent in May. The last time the state recorded a jobless rate as low as 4.8 percent was in September 2007. In June 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent.
“Georgia’s unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in almost 10 years, because our employers continue to create jobs and put record numbers of people to work,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “We now have record highs for the number of employed individuals, the labor force size and total number of jobs in Georgia.”
Employers added 27,400 jobs in June, a 0.6 percent growth rate, which increased the total number of jobs to 4,496,000. The growth more than doubled the average May-to-June increase of 12,100 jobs for the past three years. Job gains came in leisure and hospitality, 9,200; professional and business services, 8,500; other services, such as repair, maintenance, personal and laundry services, 5,700; education and health services, 5,600; state and local government, 2,100; information services, 1,100; and trade, transportation and warehousing and financial activities, 1,000 each. The job gains were offset somewhat by losses in construction, 4,000, and manufacturing, 3,000.
Over-the-year, Georgia gained 122,600 jobs, a 2.8 percent growth rate, up from 4,373,400 in June 2016. The federal job growth rate was 1.6 percent. Georgia’s job growth came in the following employment sectors: professional and business services, 37,400; leisure and hospitality, 21,900; education and health services, 18,100; trade, transportation and warehousing, 17,900; financial activities, 10,000; government, 8,300; information services, 4,500; other services, 3,900; and construction, 2,000. Manufacturing lost 2,500 jobs.
The number of employed residents rose by 8,782 to 4,797,789 from May to June. There were 153,335 more Georgians employed than in June 2016. The number of jobless residents declined by 5,385 to 240,923 in June. There were 18,394 fewer unemployed residents than in June of last year.
The labor force increased by 3,397 to 5,038,712 in June, partially because high school and college students entered the job market. The labor force consists of employed residents and those who are unemployed but actively looking for jobs. The labor force is up by 134,941 from 4,903,771 in June 2016.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, increased by 771, or 3.1 percent, to 25,638. The increases came in manufacturing and construction, administrative and support services, accommodations and food services, and educational services, which includes private schools. Over the year, claims were down by 1,657, or 6.1 percent, from 27,295 in June 2016.
Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com, showed 71,261 new job postings statewide for June.
Visit dol.georgia.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers and to connect with us on social media.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-grants
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685
Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 5.6 Percent in November
Featured December 17, 2015
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November was 5.6 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 5.7 percent in October. The rate was 6.7 percent in November 2014.
“Our employers created 3,700 jobs in November, which helped push the unemployment rate down to its lowest point since March 2008,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
The number of jobs increased to 4,309,100, or 0.1 percent, from 4,305,400 in October. Much of the job growth came in professional and business services, 2,300; construction, 2,100; education and health services, 1,800; leisure and hospitality, 1,700; and manufacturing, 1,400. These gains were somewhat offset by losses in information services, government, financial activities, and trade, transportation and warehousing.
“Over the year, we added 92,900 jobs, which is a respectable 2.2 percent growth rate,” said Butler. “Georgia continues to grow jobs faster than the nation, which has a 1.9 percent growth rate.”
Most of the over-the-year job growth came in trade, transportation and warehousing, 22,100; professional and business services, 21,200; education and health services, 16,900; leisure and hospitality, 15,800; government, 7,000; manufacturing, 6,000; and construction and financial activities, 4,400 each.
The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance, a measure of new layoffs, rose by 4,144, or 14 percent, to 33,773 in November. Most of the rise was due to an increase in temporary claims filed in manufacturing, especially in textiles and machinery.
Over the year, the number of claims was up by 5,308, or 18.6 percent, from 28,465 filed in November 2014. The increase came mostly in manufacturing and construction.
In November, the state’s labor force increased by 14,236 to 4,750,020.
Butler encouraged job seekers to use the GDOL’s online job listing service, EmployGeorgia.com, where 65,846 jobs throughout the state were posted in November.
To learn more about career opportunities and GDOL services for job seekers and employers, connect with us on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @GeorgiaDOL, which can be easily accessed via our website at www.dol.geogia.gov.
DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED, TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-graphs