Employment levels continue record climb

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The number of people working in the state increased by 1,651 in July, raising the total estimated number of workers to a record high of 2,227,624 as S.C.’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.6% from 3.8% in June.

The number of unemployed decreased by 4,766 to 82,330. It is the fourth consecutive month that unemployment has declined in the state, according to the latest jobs report from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.

Nationally, the unemployment rate decreased to 3.9% from 4% in June.

The state’s labor force declined by 3,115 to 2,309,954 but seasonally adjusted jobs increased by 2,600 in July to 2,129,000. The state’s seasonally adjusted labor force has declined by 3,268 people since July 2017, with employment gains totaling 11,281.

Construction jobs in South Carolina saw the most growth, adding 1,500 workers. Manufacturing jobs grew by 1,100, while leisure and hospitality services saw a drop of 1,000.

Cheryl Stanton, executive director of the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, said businesses in the state are still looking for trained and ready workers to help support job growth. SCDEW, along with the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, S.C. Technical College System and the State Workforce Development Board, will hold a workforce development symposium in September.

“This event is an opportunity for business, education, workforce professionals and other stakeholders to address the challenge of workforce needs and labor force availability in the state,” Stanton said in a release. “The goal is to provide insight that will help businesses build a strong talent pipeline.”

In Richland County, unemployment declined to 3.6% in July from 3.7% in June. Lexington County unemployment declined to 2.9% in July from 3.1% in June. Both numbers are lower than June 2017, when Richland County unemployment was at 4.4% and Lexington County was at 3.7%.