Latest news with #GeorgiaDepartmentofLabor
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
With concerns over economy, state's new Labor Commissioner says the jobs picture is great in GA
A new leader is officially on the job at the Georgia Department of Labor. Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes is the first Latina to hold statewide office in Georgia. Channel 2's Linda Stouffer sat down with Rivera Holmes on Tuesday, where she asked her about people's concerns about the economy. 'What is your sense of the jobs picture right now in Georgia?' Stouffer asked. 'The jobs picture in Georgia looks good,' Rivera Holmes said. 'We have five million jobs in Georgia, which is really significant. We added jobs year over year, month over month, and we're seeing that not just as a healthy statewide picture, but you're seeing in our metros as well.' The Georgia unemployment rate is 3.6%, holding steady from the previous month. That's better than the national average of 4.2%. Gov. Brian Kemp swore in Rivera Holmes on April 4. She told Stouffer that since then, she's been meeting with the state's employers and workers. TRENDING STORIES: Disgruntled customer accused of pointing gun at McDonald's employee Video of fight involving teacher at DeKalb school being used in investigation UPS to cut 20,000 jobs 'You've been listening to a lot of people in those conversations. What are you hearing?' Stouffer asked. 'I'm hearing that Georgians want to know more about how to connect to resources. Folks are wanting to know, what are the hot jobs? What kind of skills do I need?' Rivera Holmes said. 'With the concerns right now about the economy, what's your best advice to someone in Georgia looking for a job or looking for better job?' Stouffer asked Rivera Holmes. 'Certainly, ensure that you are marketable, and look at your resume, is it up to date?' Rivera Holmes said. 'Constantly be looking at what the opportunities are. Ensure that you are connecting and networking. Make sure that you have the credentials that you need for employers to make yourself marketable. And regardless of industries that you're in, there are opportunities within sectors. 'What will you be looking for to see if there's any change?' Stouffer asked Rivera Holmes. 'You know, we're really monitoring the situation, and it's very natural for our businesses and our citizens to have questions about the uncertainty. It is evolving very fast. And what we're advising all of our businesses, and our citizens, is to really look for factual information,' Rivera Holmes said. 'We're still seeing employers invest and create jobs. We're just seeing employers also be mindful about where they're investing, how they're investing.' There have been recent job cuts. Those numbers can take a few months to be reflected in the unemployment system. One thing Rivera Holmes is focused on now is completely updating the state's computer system for the Labor Department, which she said will be a big upgrade to better serve Georgians.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Department of Labor says Georgia added 6,900 jobs in March
Georgia's latest jobs report showed the rate held steady at 3.6% unemployment. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, the state added 6,900 jobs in March while the rate 'held steady.' 'Georgia's job market is full of opportunity, with nearly 5 million jobs and three openings for every Georgian,' Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said in a statement. 'As labor commissioner, I'm committed to working alongside the governor, lawmakers, and job creators across the state to connect talent with opportunity and ensure Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business for years to come.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Study says high mortgage rates, lack of homes are 'challenges' for American Dream City of Woodstock announces paid parking coming to downtown in June Popular beach vacation spot can 'no longer be a Spring Break town' GDOL said the unemployment rate in Georgia was six-tenths lower than the national rate. In addition to the 6,900 jobs added in March, GDOL said there had been 23,100 jobs added over the year. Industries with the most month-over-month job gains were health care and social assistance, information, administrative and support services, management of companies and enterprises and durable goods manufacturing. However, month-over-month, job numbers fell in transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and technical services, finance and insurance and arts, entertainment and recreation. In March, GDOL said the overall labor force was down 6,619 and down 2,928 over the past 12 months. The number of people working was down 6,654 in March and down 14,039 for the year as well. The number of unemployed people in Georgia reached 11,111 over the year, according to GDOL, while unemployment claims were down 1,168 to reach 19,296 in March. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Outgoing chamber president bids community farewell
ALBANY — Nearly 23 years ago, I made the decision to call Albany home — a choice I couldn't have known then would become one of the best of my life. Serving this incredible community through the Albany Area Chamber for nearly a decade has been an honor beyond words. As I step down from my role as CEO, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. Thank you for trusting me to lead us, and for being my partner and supporter along the way. Together, we've navigated historic challenges, embraced innovation and achieved more than anyone could have imagined. This chamber is a testament to boldness, resilience, leadership and vision. To the power of diversity. To the amplified power of speaking with a united voice. My parting charge to you is this: Stay vigilant, stay engaged and continue building the best version of Albany. This responsibility doesn't rest solely with the chamber nor our government partners — it belongs to every citizen of Albany. When we believe in Albany, others follow suit. Stay connected, too, to the Albany Area Chamber and continue connecting, building, influencing and thriving. As I take on my new role as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor, I will carry Albany with me. I will remain its champion, representing our great city in the halls of government and at every table where decisions are made. We are activators and accelerators. We are champions and advocates. We are impact. We are Only One Albany. Be well, and onward! Barbara Rivera Holmes
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia unemployment rate remains unchanged for February
The Georgia Department of Labor said the state unemployment rate was still 3.6%, remaining unchanged from the rate in January. While GDOL had reported February's 3.6% unemployment rate in mid-March, the latest report shows that Georgia added more than 7,000 jobs last month. The state's unemployment rate was lower than the national rate of 4.1%. 'Georgia continues to drive business growth and opportunity, with 7,200 new jobs created in February alone,' said GDOL Interim Successor Louis DeBroux. 'At 3.6%, our unemployment rate remains below the national average—a reflection of Georgia's resilient workforce and the intentional, focused efforts by Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly, in partnership with the business community, to expand access to high-quality jobs.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: 22-year-old says she started Floyd County wildfire because she was mad at her dad, report says Owner of Wellmade Flooring, 1 other, accused of trafficking people for labor servitude Gwinnett student accused of secretly recording girls in school restroom Unemployment claims were down 14,030 over the month, reaching 20,464, while claims over the year were down 2,424, according to GDOL. In terms of where new jobs are opening, GDOL said the sectors with the most job gains over the month were healthcare and social assistance, administrative and support services, durable goods manufacturing, retail trade and private education. Over the past year, job gains were high in healthcare and social assistance, local government, federal government, finance and insurance and state government. Month-wise, jobs down hit transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services and arts, entertainment and recreation in February. When it comes to what industries had job numbers down in the past year, the state said administrative and support services, accommodation and food services, durable goods manufacturing, retail trade and real estate, rental and leasing saw the most drops. Overall, the labor force was down 11,681 and up 10,731 in the past 12 months, according to GDOL. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia unemployment rate 'holds' at 3.6%
The latest unemployment numbers from the Georgia Department of Labor are in and they're showing no real changes compared to December. The January unemployment rate in Georgia was 3.6%, the same as the month before and still just a hair lower than the national rate. GDOL officials said Georgia's rate of unemployment was four-tenths lower than the United States average. 'Georgia's economy is built for the future, but to maintain our competitive edge, we must remain committed to making Georgia the top choice for businesses and talent,' GDOL Interim Commissioner Louis DeBroux said in a statement. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Trump administration withdraws nomination of David Weldon for CDC director What to know about the risk for severe storms, potential for tornadoes this weekend Clayton County educators fired after mother says they abused, screamed at her son with autism In terms of what that means for the state, GDOL reported a drop of 28,200 jobs over January, but still 17,800 more than the previous year. Georgia businesses in the manufacturing, state government and private education were among those with the biggest job gains, while transportation and warehousing and food services saw big decreases. Health care, social assistance, information and accommodation jobs also saw decreases in the past month, according to GDOL. 'Despite a decline in January's job numbers, our unemployment rate remains at 3.6%, four tenths below the national average. By continuing to invest in our people, expand opportunities, and drive innovation, we are ensuring Georgia remains the national leader in economic opportunity for all,' DeBroux added. The number of unemployment claims in Georgia rose by 3,448 over January, though were down 2,837 compared to the previous year. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
