1. Asheville Metro Labor Market Update released today
  2. Construction Career Day, March 27, WNC Ag Center
  3. "The State of Our Workforce: WNC" employer survey results released
  4. Mountain Area Workforce Development Board meeting recap
  5. Mountain Area WDB honors Outstanding Employers, Job seekers and Youth
  6. Is there still value in a Liberal Arts degree for your career?
  7. Employers Respond to the Skilled Trades/Construction Workforce Survey
  8. Finish Line Grants Update
  9. Employers sign up for NC's Work-Based Learning Navigator
  10. NCWorks Economic Impact in Our Region
  11. "Capital at Play" highlights our region's $5.7 billion manufacturing sector
  12. Asheville Metro employment trends
  13. National and state long-term unemployed trends
  14. NC Economic and Demographic Data
  15. Employers Apply for Business Accelerator Grant: Deadline February 28, 2019
  16. NCWorks Career Center Asheville Hiring Events and Workshop Schedule
  17. Mountain Area Careers Spotlight
Labor Market Update

As of December 2018,  1,701  more people were working and our region had 1,100  jobs more jobs compared to December 2018. Total regional employment is  208,640 . 
Mountain Area region continues to have NC's lowest unemployment rate


For December 2018, our region (Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties) continues to have the lowest unemployment rate at in NC at  3.2%  , Buncombe County has the lowest rate of any county in NC at   3.0%    Henderson County is tied for #3 lowest rate in the state at   3.3%  tied with two other counties. Madison County is at  3.5%  and Transylvania County is at  3.8%  . All counties in our region are at or below the state unemployment rate for November 2018 of 3.8%.

For  46  consecutive months Buncombe County has maintained the lowest unemployment rate of any NC county. For  44  consecutive months the Mountain Area Workforce region (Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties) as well as the Asheville metro have maintained the lowest unemployment rate of any NC region.
Asheville metro unemployment rate 3.1%

The Asheville metro (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison Counties) continues to have the lowest unemployment rate of any NC metro at   3.1%. Since December 2018 our region has 1,100 more jobs in the metro.

In the past year since December 2018, the following sectors added jobs: Mining, Logging and Construction (300 jobs), Manufacturing (1,000 jobs), Trade Transportation & Utilities (800 jobs), Government (100 jobs), Financial Activities (100 jobs) and Other Services (200 jobs). Education & Health Services (-300 jobs), Leisure & Hospitality (-300 jobs), Information (-100 jobs) and Professional & Business Services (-700 jobs) declined in employment.

Manufacturing is leading our year-over-year job growth. The manufacturing sector has consistently been the leading sector for job growth during the past year.

It appears our region's overall job growth is slowing. We were adding 3,000+ jobs annually and this latest number has a net decline in jobs. This decelerating job growth may be due to employers difficulty in filling positions or it could be due to economic conditions.
NC Department of Commerce, Labor and Economic Analysis Division (LEAD)
NC Department of Commerce, Labor and Economic Analysis Division (LEAD)
Construction Career Day

Our region will hold a Construction Career Day on Wednesday, March 27 at the McGough Arena, WNC Agricultural Center in Fletcher.

If you are a construction employer or school and would like to participate, please contact Nathan@landofsky.org for more details.

All schools (K12, community colleges and universities) and construction employers are encouraged to attend. There is no cost to employers or schools for this event. The purpose of Construction Career Day is to increase awareness of construction careers and share the many career opportunities available in this sector.

The event will be open to the general public later in the day as a hiring and demonstration day.
Construction Jobs and Women in the Workforce: A...

LEAD's senior economist was recently interviewed in an episode of UNC-TV's ncIMPACT program covering women in the construction trades. In case you missed it, you can stream the episode here and find an extended version of the interview here. The...

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www.nccommerce.com
"State of Our Workforce: WNC" employer survey results released
Headline news from the “State of Our Workforce: Western NC” employer survey - 721 local employers project adding between 12,700 jobs - 26,700 jobs in the next three years. 67% of employers project they will hire more people in the next three years.

Small businesses dominate the responses with almost 75% of the responses from employers with less than 100 employees.

Industries with the largest hiring needs are the manufacturing sector (projected to add between 3,480 - 7,556 jobs) and the restaurant, lodging & hospitality sector (projected to add between 3,574 - 6,618 jobs). Three quarters of healthcare employers expect to grow creating up to 3,200 jobs.

Companies are most frequently looking for workers with a community college degree or professional certification. The top soft skills sought by employers are responsibility and self discipline, taking initiative, professionalism and critical thinking.

Employers most frequently source their talent from friends & networks, online job portals, social media and internal references. These results are a reminder of the importance of networking when searching for a job. Medium sized companies (50 - 500 employees) and large companies (500+ employees) rely more on online job portals.

On the job training tops the list of tools employers use to develop their existing workforce followed by continuing education through community colleges or universities, trade association provided courses and defined career progression.

Thanks to the NC Chamber, Asheville Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Coalition of Asheville Buncombe, and RTI International for making this survey possible.
Results are in - here's what 700+ WNC employers have to...

State of our Workforce: WNC survey collected input from 720+ employers in 10 different industries across 10 counties, informing an up-to-date snapshot of employers' hiring challenges, where they source local talent & expected growth in next 3 years.

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www.ashevillechamber.org
Mountain Area Workforce Development Board meeting

At the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board January meeting the board received an update on “The State of Our Workforce - Western NC” from  Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce , the Experienced Worker Initiative led by NCWorks Career Center Asheville, the “Did You Know?” outreach campaign by the  Transylvania Economic Alliance  and work-based learning expansion at  AB Tech  and  Blue Ridge Community College
Transylvania Alliance Launches Video Storytelling Series

You are invited to join us for an online, video storytelling series highlighting the work and contributions of our local manufacturing sector, an effort supported by NC Workforce Solutions and Mountain Area Workforce Development Board.

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transylvaniaalliance.com
Mountain Area Workforce Development Board honors our region's employers, job seekers and youth
Board Chair Terry Collins with Current by GE recognizes AdventHealth Hendersonville and GF Linamar for their support of our region's MFG Day events. Graham Fields with AdventHealth Hendersonville and Adam Karn with GF Linamar accept the award on behalf of their respective organizations.
Thanks for our region's employers, educators, and workforce partners for attending our annual recognition luncheon at the Mission Health - AB Tech Conference Center.
Barbara Darby, Regional Business Services Coordinator with Mountain Area Workforce Development Board recognizes Epsilon, Inc. as Outstanding WIOA Business Partner. Matt Fraser with Epsilon accepts this award on behalf of the company.
We thank AB Tech for hosing our annual recognition luncheon, Red Radish for the excellent meal and "Racheal Woodall and the Tuesday Boys" for the entertainment. All of the members of the group are AB Tech students.
Vivian O'Hannon recognized as an Outstanding WIOA Adult Participant. Joining Vivian is Ellie Waters, WIOA Career Advisor with AB Tech and the NCWorks Career Center Asheville.
Arrone Weston recognized as an Outstanding WIOA Adult Participant. Joining Arrone is Philip Cooper, UpSkill WNC Career Navigator with AB Tech and the NCWorks Career Center Asheville.
Barbara Darby recognizes Outstanding WIOA Participants in the On-The-Job Training Program. Honorees include Brian Laughridge with Epsilon, Clay Hisel with Charlotte Street Computers, Dominique Scales with New PECO, Sharon Stallings with Aloft Hotel, Karen Mayes with AvL Technologies and Jimmie Stewart with Homewood Suites by Hilton.
GF Linamar recognized as an Outstanding WIOA Business Partner. Representatives of GF Linamar are joined by Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood, Shanda Bedoian and Dr. Chris English on behalf of NCWorks Career Center Henderson County.
Davion Worley, US Army Reserves recognized as the Outstanding NCWorks NextGen WIOA Out-of-School Youth for Henderson County. Joining Davion is Peggy Tittle, NCWorks NextGen Career Coach with Henderson County Schools.
The Greystone Inn recognized as an Outstanding WIOA Business Partner. Geoff and Shannon Ellis with The Greystone Inn are joined by Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood, Glenda McCarson, and Jason Chappell on behalf of NCWorks Career Center Transylvania County.
Bradee Hyder recognized as the Outstanding NCWorks NextGen WIOA Youth for Buncombe County. Joining Bradee is Jeanine Phillips, NCWorks NextGen Career Coach with Buncombe County Schools.
Dr. Dennis King, President of AB Tech, welcomes the attendees at our annual recognition luncheon. We thank President King and his staff for their hospitality and hard work to host this event.
About 150 people attended our annual recognition luncheon at the Mission Health - AB Tech Conference Center.
"Racheal Woodall and the Tuesday Boys" perform during the luncheon. The members of the group are residents of Madison County and all are AB Tech students.
GF Linamar recognized as an Outstanding WIOA Business Partner. Adam Karn with GF Linamar is joined by Shanda Bedoian, Blue Ridge Community College Director of Corporate and Customized Training on behalf of NCWorks Career Center Henderson County.
Blair Miles recognized as an Outstanding WIOA Adult Participant. Joining Blair is Irene Canivet, WIOA Career Advisor with AB Tech and the NCWorks Career Center Asheville.
"Racheal Woodall and the Tuesday Boys" perform "White Lightning" during the luncheon. .
"Racheal Woodall and the Tuesday Boys" perform "Rocky Top" during the luncheon. .
Background: Frontline WIOA staff and workforce partners who have worked with the participants and employers recognized submitted the following profiles. The Mountain Area Workforce Development Board is honored to recognize these individuals and employers.



Mtn Area WDB honors region's employers, job seekers & youth

Learn more about the compelling stories about the employer and participant honorees from our recognition luncheon.

Read more
www.mountainareaworks.org
Is there still value in a Liberal Arts degree for your career?
Labor Market Outcomes of Liberal Arts Grads

Explore “The Real, Long-term Labor Market Outcomes of Liberal Arts Grads.” The report uses Emsi profile data to examine the career and wage progression of liberal arts majors as they upskill, adapt, and navigate from first to second and third jobs.

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www.economicmodeling.com
Employers please respond: Skilled Trades/Construction Career Pathways Employer Survey  

Our region's construction sector is growing and employers are struggling to meet their workforce needs.

This survey will help our region develop a NCWorks Certified Career Pathway for the Skilled Trades/Construction sector which will help us more effectively meet workforce needs in this sector. We have received 52 responses so far. If you are a construction/skilled trades employer, please respond to the following survey.
Skilled Trades/Construction Workforce Survey

Employers please click on the survey monkey link below to respond to this survey to help our region develop a career pathway for this sector.

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www.surveymonkey.com
Finish Line Grants are helping students complete their education and enter into the workforce

"A-B Tech, in partnership with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, was awarded the Finish Line Grant in September to assist students who have completed 50 percent or more of their degree or credential. So far, $9,285 has been given to students to pay for financial emergencies they may face through no fault of their own. The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of the Workforce Solutions, awarded the grant."
A-B Tech Has Given More than $9,000 to Students Through

Eleven students at A-B Tech Community College have been assisted this fall through Finish Line Grants that help students overcome economic hardship in order to complete their studies. The Finish Line Grant program was announced by the Governor's...

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www.abtech.edu
Governor Cooper Announces Finish Line Grants Program

Today, Governor Cooper announced the Finish Line Grants program to help community college students who face unforeseen financial emergencies complete their training. The program will leverage up to $7 million in federal funds to help students pay ...

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governor.nc.gov
Employers please sign up for the Work-Based Learning Navigator   

The Governor's Office, North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and Fidelity investments have created the Navigator. The Navigator will allow you to connect with educators for work-based learning opportunities (school tours of businesses, internships, business classroom speakers, etc.). We hope Western North Carolina businesses will sign-up for The Navigator so our educators can connect with you for work-based learning opportunities.

If you are a business that would like to sign up on the Navigator, please see the following links: 
Organization Signup Form

The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) is inventorying work-based learning programs from across the state, and with your approval, helping you connect those opportunities with NC educators through an online marketplace called ...

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wblnavigator.org
About

WHAT IS THE NAVIGATOR? The Navigator is an online marketplace that makes it easier for NC educators and workforce development professionals to integrate work-based learning resources into their classrooms. The platform operates like an online...

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wblnavigator.org
Individuals served by NCWorks system in our region earned over $63 million in wages last year
"Capital at Play" highlights Western North Carolina's $5.7 billion manufacturing sector  
The State of Manufacturing 2019: A Report

"If Western North Carolina is to be economically successful in the future, the key will be in finding the right talent-and talent that is not only trained for, but committed to that future."

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www.capitalatplay.com
Hiring former offenders can help employers meet their workforce needs
Pathways to Re-Entry: Former Offenders in North...

Former offenders face barriers to re-entering the labor market after release from prison. This article describes the workforce programs available to offenders during and after incarceration in North Carolina, and reports the employment outcomes...

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www.nccommerce.com
Asheville Chamber survey
Asheville Greater Community Survey

"Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is leading an effort to imagine and plan for a future we can all be proud of. AVL Greater brings together a wide cross-section of community members to explore trends facing our community and envision our future."

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www.surveymonkey.com
NC Data Dashboard  
Western Carolina University - North Carolina Data Dashboard

The vision of the North Carolina Data Dashboard is to provide a one-stop, multi-purpose information source for anyone who wants to learn about the current state and recent trends of Western North Carolina and NC.

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www.wcu.edu
Asheville MSA job growth 1990 - 2018

28,400 net new jobs since February 2010 (low point after the Great Recession)

15,100 net new jobs since February 2008 (peak prior to the Great Recession)
Asheville MSA unemployment rate 1990 - 2018 (seasonally adjusted)

Low: March - June 1999 2.4%
High: February 2010 9.7%
The number of very long-term unemployed (99+ weeks) is increasing

Following national trends, a greater share of our state's long-term unemployed are very long-term unemployed (99+ weeks). They have gone from being a fraction of the size of those unemployed 27-51 weeks or 52-99 weeks to nearly an equal share.
National Data courtesy of Indeed
NC economic and demographic data from NC Department of Commerce
Are North Carolina's wages growing like the nation's?

While U.S. wage growth remains slow, you may have read that it's picked up steam in recent months. We're interested in the extent to which that's true in North Carolina and where it might be happening in our state's economy.

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www.nccommerce.com
Employers: Apply now for a Business Accelerator grant

Mountain Area Workforce Development Board is now taking applications for "Business Accelerator" grants.

Business Accelerator grants can help local employers upskill their existing workforce to make their business more competitive in the marketplace. 

These Incumbent Worker Training grants will be available to employers with at least five employees. The maximum grant allowed will be $10,000 for a single employer or $12,500 for a collaboration among multiple employers. We anticipate that the Board will receive more requests than funding available.

Please contact Barbara Darby, Regional Business Services Coordinator at barbarad@landofsky.org to learn more about how a Business Accelerator grant can assist your organization.

The deadline for submission of Business Accelerator Grant applications is February 28, 2019.
Mountain Area Careers (MAC) highlights our region's career pathways in the Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare and Hospitality & Tourism sectors

Our region has three "NCWorks Certified Career Pathways" in Advanced Manufacturing, Hospitality & Tourism and Healthcare which have been approved by the NCWorks Commission.
Crystal at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard
Josh at Advanced Superabrasives (ASI) in Madison County
Robert at Biltmore Farms Hotels in Buncombe County
Lezlie with the Hot Springs Health Program at the Mars Hill Medical Center in Madison County
Erica at Pardee UNC Healthcare in Henderson County
Chris at Mission Health in Buncombe County
Leigh at GE Aviation in Buncombe County
Women in Advanced Manufacturing
Heather with Home Instead Senior Care