Tri-County Upstate experiencing gain in Employment

The tri-county area of Upstate South Carolina is experiencing a gain in employment. According to the latest figures from the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, Anderson County posted 4.5% unemployment in September compared to 5.2% in August. Pickens County lists 4.8% for September and 5.6% in August. Oconee County saw its unemployment figure drop to 4.9% in September from 5.5% in August. Overall, the number of South Carolinians working in September rose to an all-time high while the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped below 5% for the first time since April 2001. South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9% in September from 5.1% in August. The state’s unemployment rate also dropped below the national rate for the first time since April 2014. Employment increased in September by 4,682 to 2,185,902, a new record high, and the unemployed level declined by 4,985 to 112,018. The result was a decrease in the labor force from August to September of 303 people. This is the fifth consecutive month the unemployment rate has decreased. “As South Carolina’s businesses continue to grow and prosper, they are providing opportunities for our state’s citizens. I am excited to see that a record number of people are working now than at any time in our state’s history, and our unemployment rate has fallen to a level we have not experienced in the last 15 years,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director for the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. “While there are more than 58,000 unfilled jobs across the state, we are continuing our work to develop a pipeline of skilled workers to address the state’s workforce needs of our current and future employers.” Nationally, the unemployment rate increased from 4.9% in August to 5% in September.