Jobless numbers up in September

The state's unemployment rate has risen slightly, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. The rate rose a tenth of a percent, from 4.5 percent in August to 4.6 percent in September. Labor department officials say they added 6048 additional jobless residents to their unemployment rolls in September, and that early reports show the state lost 800 payroll jobs, particularly in the areas of hospitality, business and professional services, retail trade, financial activities, manufacturing and construction. More than 23,000 job seekers, however, entered the workforce during this time. Georgia's unemployment rate was a tenth of a percent higher than the national rate of 4.5%. For more information about the report, and numbers for the state's 14 metro areas, go to www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm.

Georgia #1 for workforce training

Georgia is Number 1 for workforce training in the U.S. according to Expansion Management magazine. The magazine ranked Georgia in first place based on a survey of more than 80 site selection professionals. The magazine also notes that Georgia has ranked first or second for the last six years. The magazine credits Georgia’s Quick Start program, which trains workers for companies for free.