Georgia Unemployment Rate In Double Digits

Nearly a half a million Georgians are out of work. The Department of Labor released its June unemployment figures today. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is at 10.1 percent—the highest ever recorded in the state.

"We are continuing to see lay off in construction, manufacturing, really across all sectors," says Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, "except of course health care and education."

In June, 483,394 Georgians were looking for work.

Thurmond calls on Georgia leaders to engage the private sector to create jobs. He also encourages the unemployed to seek more education and training to prepare for future jobs.

"Green jobs is a growing industry, ways to save energy, maximize potential in that arena," says Thurmond. "I think manufacturing, but with a more highly skilled work force will create employment opportunity in the future."

Right now about a third of jobless Georgians receive unemployment benefits from the state. Georgia's unemployment rate is worse than the nation's. It's at 9.5 percent.

State Unemployment Hits Double-Digits

Georgia’s unemployment rate has now hit double-digits. The mark of 10.1 percent for June is the highest ever recorded in the state, and represents more than 480,000 people looking for work. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says as Georgia "is in the midst of a deepening economic crisis”, state leaders need to develop a bi-partisan recovery plan to help dig out of the economic malaise. Job losses again were seen in areas such as professional and business services, manufacturing and construction. However, job gains were recorded in healthcare and educational services, with a spike of 12,000 jobs.

Labor Commissioner to Testify

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond has been invited to address the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support in Washington, D. C. The subcommittee is reviewing the implementation and the impact of unemployment insurance provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Thurmond will testify on Thursday.

(Commissioner Thurmond News Release)

State-Hosted Job Fair To Feature 100 Employers

The Georgia Department of Labor is sponsoring a career expo and job fair featuring more than 100 employers.

The event is from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the World Congress Center. Besides employers with jobs to fill, the event will feature approximately 100 resource and service providers.

Those will include several two-and-four-year public and private educational institutions and technical colleges.

Workshops will address how to make career decisions and how to better handle personal finances after a job loss.

Commissioner Michael L. Thurmond says the event will lay the foundation for the return of economic growth in the state. It's free, but attendees are asked to bring canned food to donate to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

(AP)

Georgia Labor Commissioner Urges Governor to Accept All Stimulus Funds

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is urging Governor Sonny Perdue to accept about $220 million dollars in federal stimulus funds for the state's unemployment trust fund.

Governor Perdue has signaled that he might turn down some of the money.

Thurmond said today at the state capitol Georgia's unemployment trust fund is fine - for now.

But as unemployment in Georgia rises, Thurmond is worried that it might not last.

"If this economy continues to deteriorate, I am concerned about the future solvency of our trust fund in 2009 and I'm committed to and I believe we need the $220 million dollars..."

Governor Perdue says if the state accepts the money, Georgia will be forced to expand its unemployment benefits long term.

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