Unemployment inches Up in Tri-County Upstate

Unemployment rates inched up in the tri-county Upstate last month, according to the latest figures released by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. Anderson County’s jobless rate increased from 2.6% in April to 2.7% in May. Pickens County’s rate rose to 2.8% in May, from 2.6% in April. Oconee County’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 2.7%. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4% from 4.2% in April as unemployment fell by 5,431 people to a level of 92,498. The number of individuals working across the state declined slightly by 224 people in May to a level of 2,225,431. The state’s labor force fell by 5,655 to 2,317,929. “South Carolina continues to enjoy record employment levels that help our economy thrive, but it is imperative that we also continue to look for opportunities to educate, train and prepare our workforce to meet the demand. The State Workforce Development Board is awarding grants for the development and use of innovative workforce, education and training practices to support jobseekers. It is this type of preparation and partnership that will help individuals find employment and succeed in the workforce and provide employers with the talent pipeline they need to compete in the global economy,” said Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. Since May of 2017, the labor force has grown by 9,202 people, and employment gains totaled 13,845. The level of unemployed declined by 4,643 people. Nationally, the unemployment rate edged down to 3.8% from April’s rate of 3.9%.