Mountain Area Works Highlights
- Labor Market Update July 2021 - AVL metro 4.0% #3 lowest in NC
- Emsi - The Demographic Drought webinar TODAY at 1:00 pm
- Community colleges pursue array of recruitment strategies
- Fed Faces New Challenges Spelling Out Employment Goals
- Employment & Training Reporter - Job Fair Asks Employers To Offer One $17 Per Hour Position
- Emsi - Inflation Isn't Going Away
- Business Accelerator Grant biz letter of intent - deadline extended until September 3
- New Employee Benefit: Matching Employee Savings
- 'It's Exhausting.' Second wave of COVID causes nursing shortage at Triangle hospitals
- WSJ - States That Cut Unemployment Benefits Saw Limited Impact on Job Growth
- Richmond Fed President doesn't see unemployment benefits alone causing working shortage
- Mountain Area Workforce Development Board August meeting recap
- Federal pandemic unemployment benefits to end September 4
- Coolest thing made in NC
- Rural Matters Podcast: Viewing Rural Health, Education, and Business Through An Equity Lens
- Chick-fil-A Hendersonville raises starting full-time wage to $19 per hour
- Local population numbers released from 2020 US Census
- $18 per Hour And Beyond Job Fair attracts around 350 job seekers
- School systems, businesses struggle with ongoing staffing shortages
- WNC Rebounding Stronger Summit presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
- NCWorks Asheville Workshops for Jobseekers in August and September
- NC's jobless rate drops again - economist sees labor market as "positive"
- 1,233 individuals filed an unemployment claim in our region for July 2021
- NCWorks: Work on What's Next
- Mountain Area Careers
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As of July 2021, 10,300 more people working compared to July 2020. 200 less people working compared to June 2021.
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NC's July County and Area Employment Figures Released
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in 99 of North Carolina's counties in July and remained unchanged in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.1 percent while Avery County had the lowest at 3.5 percent.
Read more
www.nccommerce.com
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Asheville metro unemployment rate at 4.0%, #3 lowest of any NC metro |
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Asheville metro now (as of July 2021) has the #3 lowest unemployment of any NC metro at 4.0%. This rate is 5.2% points lower than the metro unemployment rate of 9.2% of one year ago.
Buncombe 4.0%
Haywood 4.1%
Henderson 4.0%
Madison 4.3%
Transylvania 4.0%
Compared to June 2020, the Asheville metro added 10,300 jobs and compared to June 2021 the Asheville metro lost 200 jobs.
Compared to July 2020, the Leisure & Hospitality sector added 21.3% (4,800 jobs) of the total jobs in the sector, Other Services added 6.7% (600 jobs) of the total jobs in the sector, Information was unchanged, Manufacturing added 5.9% (1,200 jobs) of the total jobs in the sector, Government added 7.7% (1,600 jobs) of the total jobs in the sector, Education & Health Services added 0.6% (200 jobs) of the total jobs in the sector. Mining Logging & Construction added 4.3% (400 jobs), Professional & Business Services added 0.6% (100 jobs) of the total jobs in the sector, Financial Activities added 3.2% (200 jobs) and Trade, Transportation & Utilities added 3.5% (1,200 jobs) compared one year ago.
Asheville metro has the #9 greatest increase in jobs (5.9%) in NC in the past year. This may be a one year aberration but Asheville metro has consistently been near the top of job growth until this month. Year over Year job growth by metro (all NC metros have experienced job gains in the past year):
- Greenville 9.3%
- Wilmington 8.1%
- Durham/Chapel Hill 8.0%
- Burlington 7.1%
- Greensboro/High Point 6.9%
- Raleigh 6.7%
- Jacksonville 6.5%
- Winston-Salem 6.4%
- Asheville 5.9%
- Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia 5.5%
- Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton 5.3%
- Rocky Mount 5.3%
- Fayetteville 5.2%
- New Bern 3.3%
- Goldsboro 1.8%
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Emsi - The Demographic Drought webinar today at 1:00 pm |
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The Demographic Drought
The Demographic Drought: How the Approaching Sansdemic Will Transform the Labor Market for the Rest of Our Lives. We will go over details such as what was happening in the labor market prior to COVID and what the current state of the market is..
Read more
www.economicmodeling.com
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Community colleges pursue array of recruitment strategies |
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Five North Carolina institutions within the state community college system -- Blue Ridge Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Pitt Community College, Vance-Granville Community College and Durham Technical Community College -- today announced a campaign to re-enroll up tp 12,000 students in the state through a partnership with InsideTrack, a nonprofit organization that helps colleges and universities increase student enrollment, college completion and career readiness. Coaches from InsideTrack are working with students one on one to navigate the re-enrollment process.
The initiative comes after an enrollment decline of about 11 percent at North Carolina community colleges last year. The head count was 349,592 students in fall 2020, down from 422,146 students in fall 2019, a loss of more than 72,500 students across the system of 58 colleges.
Laura Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College, said the program targets students ages 25 through 44 who have earned at least half the credits required for a degree or credential and who have been out of college for at least five years. The college also offered scholarships this year that cover tuition, fees and books for North Carolina residents enrolled in a minimum of six credits.
While the numbers are still in flux, overall fall enrollment at the college was up more than 13 percent as of Wednesday, compared to fall 2019. Meanwhile, the number of students above age 25 increased by 12 percent.
Leatherwood believes those numbers are “indicative that the work that we’ve been doing has been successful.”
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Community colleges pursue array of recruitment strategies
Community colleges are trying a host of strategies -- cash incentives, marketing campaigns, ice cream socials, free books, re-enrollment drives -- to attract students this fall after steep enrollment declines during the pandemic.
Read more
www.insidehighered.com
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Fed Faces New Challenges Spelling Out Employment Goals |
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Fed Faces New Challenge Spelling Out Employment Goals
Federal Reserve officials are talking more about how to define a fuzzy concept-maximum employment-that will heavily influence their thinking around how much longer to keep interest rates near zero.
Read more
www.wsj.com
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Employment & Training Reporter - Job Fair Asks Employers To Offer One $17 Per Hour Position |
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Emsi - Inflation Isn't Going Away |
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Why Inflation Isn't Going Away
Currently, the US is experiencing all three types of inflation in one way or another, but the primary driver is demand-pull inflation. We see this played out in a three-part sequence: As we discuss in our recent ebook, The Demographic Drought,...
Read more
www.economicmodeling.com
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Business Accelerator Grant biz letter of intent deadline extended to September 3 |
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- The Business Accelerator Grant for incumbent worker training is a competitive training grant through which qualifying businesses can address employees’ skills gaps. These skills gaps can be a result of a worker’s changing responsibilities/requirements in her/his job, or for a worker whose job may potentially be eliminated and skill upgrading is needed to accept new responsibilities. The training should result in increased knowledge/skills for the employee and increase the stability and competitiveness of the employer. Training that provides a significant step towards achieving an industry-recognized certification/credential is important.
- North Carolina for-profit and not-for-profit businesses located in the four counties of Mountain Area (Buncombe, Henderson, Madison & Transylvania Counties) that have been in operation in the Mountain Area for at least one year prior to submission of the application are eligible to apply. The business must have a W-2 employer-employee relationship with at least five or more employees prior to the application deadline. Businesses that are current on all federal, state, and local tax obligations and are financially viable, are eligible to apply.
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The Business Accelerator Grant is a cost reimbursement grant. Businesses are reimbursed upon completion of the proposed training with required documentation. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and are dependent upon the availability of funding. Mountain Area may commit up to $100,000 for PY 21 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022). The maximum grant amount is $10,000 per grant. There are up to two grant application cycles per program year. The grant recipient must be reimbursed in full before another grant application can be submitted. There is no maximum lifetime limit at this time, but one may be established based upon future funding availability.
- The Business Accelerator Grant is administered by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board (MAWDB) with the application, information and guidelines provided by MAWDB. Applications are submitted directly to the MAWDB. The Board may request additional information or establish supplemental provisions and requirements for the training grant applications.
- For each program year, July 1 – June 30, the MAWDB will have funding available for the Business Accelerator Grant program. Funding amounts may differ from program year to program year, based on federal allocations and funding is always pending availability. Businesses should contact the Business Services Representative to inquire of funding availability and other requirements, including current program guidelines. Each business awarded a grant will have one year, 365 calendar days, to complete training from the date that the contract is signed.
Application Process and Tentative Schedule
Call for Pre-Assessment – Intent to apply is Required
August 16 – August 27, 2021
Call for Applications
August 30 – September 17, 2021; 4 pm
Required Zoom meeting for first-time applicants
August 30 – September 3 – time TBD
Draft application Deadline
September 17, 2021; 4 pm
Final Application Deadline
October 1, 2021; 4 pm
Application Review
October 4 – October 22, 2021
Award Announcement
October 27 – October 29, 2021
Deadline for Contracts
December 31, 2021
All applications will be reviewed by the Workforce Board’s Grant Committee. The Committee uses an assessment scoring system for each application. The Committee will make recommendations to the Board on applications for funding. After the Board approves the recommendations, the Business will be notified within 5 business day by email and/or phone. The Business Services Representative will have 60 days from award notification to prepare the contract. Payment for training or training that is conducted prior to the date of the dually signed contract can’t be reimbursed.
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BUSINESS ACCELERATOR GRANT - Mountain Area Workforce
Mountain Area Workforce Development Board is opening our Business Accelerator Grant for applications. Letter of Intent due by August 27.
Read more
www.mountainareaworks.org
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The New Employer Benefit: Matching Emergency Savings |
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The New Employer Benefit: Matching Emergency Savings
More employers adding emergency savings accts to employee benefit programs, reflecting desire to attract & retain workers & help them better prepare for unexpected expenses. Under way since before pandemic, trend has picked up steam in recent months.
Read more
www.wsj.com
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'It's Exhausting.' Second wave of COVID causes nursing shortage at Triangle hospitals |
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'It's exhausting.' 2nd wave of COVID causes nursing shortage
Early in the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals worried about not having enough ventilators, personal protective equipment and other tools to treat COVID-19 patients.
Read more
www.newsobserver.com
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States That Cut Unemployment Benefits Saw Limited Impact on Job Growth |
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States That Cut Unemployment Benefits Saw Limited Impact
States that ended enhanced federal unemployment benefits early have so far seen about the same job growth as states that continued offering the pandemic-related extra aid, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis and economists.
Read more
www.wsj.com
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Richmond Fed President doesn't see unemployment benefits alone causing working shortage |
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Richmond Fed prez doesn't see UI causing worker shortage
You can find the hiring signs everywhere. As the economy keeps growing after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, demand for workers has consistently outpaced the number of people willing to take those jobs.
Read more
www.newsobserver.com
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Mountain Area Workforce Development Board August meeting recap |
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The August 24, 2021 board meeting featured presentations about pre-employment training for Pratt & Whitney and other firms, Jobs for NC Graduates and the current state of the labor market from Friday Services and Spherion as well as updates from the Board committees. |
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Federal pandemic unemployment benefits to end September 4 |
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Coolest Thing Made in NC: Vote Now!
North Carolina has much to be proud of, especially when it comes to the products it manufactures. Celebrate the Tar Heel State's creativity, innovation, and talent by nominating your favorite made-in-NC product. Voting is now live!
Read more
coolestthingmadeinnc.com
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Rural Matters Podcast: Viewing Rural Health, Education, and Business Through An Equity Lens |
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In the first of our four-part series, Viewing Rural Health, Education, and Business Through an Equity Lens, produced in collaboration with and supported by Grantmakers In Health, chats with an excellent group of practitioners and experts: William Buster, Senior Vice President for Impact at Dogwood Health Trust in Asheville, NC, oversees the foundation’s grantmaking and program-related investments and ensures that the foundation lives up to its goals for diversity, equity and inclusion; Nathan Ramsey, Executive Director of Land of Sky Regional Council and Director of the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board serving Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania Counties; and Tressie White, Program Director at the Montana Healthcare Foundation. Rural and urban families struggling with poverty face the same challenges, from educational opportunities to broadband access, notes Buster. Indeed, with our current labor shortage, it’s important that we ensure that all residents live up to their full potential, Ramsey notes, whether in urban or rural communities.
There are clear-cut health disparities in Montana, White says, including that, on average, those in trial communities have a lifespan 20 years shorter than non-native Americans. Her organization helps tribal communities in a variety of areas, including securing grants, providing technical assistance, and developing school-based services. The guests discuss lessons learned from the pandemic and what communities can take advantage of post-pandemic, including access to housing and health care, increased broadband equity, and infrastructure and sustainable enhancements. This episode and the entire series, is sponsored by Grantmakers In Health.
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Viewing Rural Health, Education & Biz Through An Equity Lens
Features William Buster, Senior Vice President, Dogwood Health Trust and Nathan Ramsey, Executive Director, Land of Sky Regional Council.
Read more
cloudutil.player.fm
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Chick-fil-A Hendersonville raises starting full-time wage to $19 per hour |
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Local population numbers released from 2020 US Census |
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2020 Census local population numbers were released this past Thursday. Overall our region’s growth trends are in line with state and national trends. Urban areas are growing faster, many rural areas are losing population (50 counties lost population in NC in past decade) and suburban counties are growing in tandem with urban counties.
North Carolina 10,439,388 – added 903,905 over the past decade – 9%
Buncombe 269,452 - added 31,134 over the past decade – 13%
City of Asheville 94,589
Town of Biltmore Forest 1,409
Town of Black Mountain 8,426
Town of Montreat 901
Town of Weaverville 4,567
Town of Woodfin 7,936
Henderson 116,281 – added 9,541 over the past decade – 9%
City of Hendersonville 15,137
Town of Fletcher 7,987
Town of Laurel Park 2,250
Town of Mills River 7,078
Village of Flat Rock 3,486
Madison 21,193 – added 429 over the past decade – 2%
Town of Hot Springs 520
Town of Marshall 777
Town of Mars Hill 2,007
Transylvania 32,986 – lost 104 over the past decade - -0%
City of Brevard 7,744
Town of Rosman 701
Haywood 59,036 – added 3,053 over the past decade – 5%
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2020 census data released
News 13 got a first look at the data collected from the 2020 Census. The report shows the population in Asheville grew by more than 9,000 people in the past 10 yrs. Buncombe County gained more than 31,000 and Henderson County grew by just over 9,500.
Read more
wlos.com
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New census numbers crucial for some rural WNC counties
Rural counties including Transylvania, Graham, Polk Rutherford, Mitchell and McDowell are on a similar downward track.
Read more
wlos.com
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$18 per Hour And Beyond Job Fair attracts around 350 job seekers |
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75+ employers seek workers during '$18 per Hour Job Fair
On Tuesday, August 10, dozens of local employers are coming together in an effort to attract workers through a job fair at the WNC AG Center. Caption: WLOS. Organizers say seven counties are represented through more than 70 employers.
Read more
wlos.com
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NCWorks Career Center Asheville Jobseeker Workshops for August and September
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North Carolina jobless rate drops again - economist sees labor market as "positive" |
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NC jobless rate drops again
NC's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4% in July 2021, a decrease of 0.2% from June's revised rate, and half of what it was in July 2020, when NC's unemployment rate was 8.8%, according to the latest data from the NC Dept of Commerce.
Read more
www.wraltechwire.com
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1,233 people filed for unemployment benefits in our region during July |
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Buncombe: 836
Henderson: 283
Madison: 46
Transylvania: 68
TOTAL: 1,233
Unemployment Claims by Sector in our Region
Leisure & Hospitality 233 (18.1%)
Trade Transportation & Utilities 182 (14.8%)
Unclassified/Unknown 176 (14.3%)
Educational & Health Services 164 (13.3%)
Manufacturing 175 (14.2%)
Other Services 47 (3.8%)
Professional & Business Services 155 (12.6%)
Construction 55 (4.5%)
Financial Activities 30 (2.4%)
Information not disclosed
Public Administration 15 (1.2%)
Natural Resources & Mining not disclosed
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NC Jobs | Mountain Area Careers | Western North Carolina
Create Your Future in the Mountains of Western North Carolina. Find jobs from great employers. Earn a steady living and advance your career.
Read more
www.mountainareacareers.org
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