The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported today that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Albany increased to 10.9 percent in August, up one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 10.8 percent in July. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed workers in the metro area increased to 8,356, up 80 from 8,276.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 10 percent in August, up one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 9.9 percent in July, primarily because of layoffs in retail trade and construction. The rate was also 10 percent in August 2009. This is the 35th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.6 percent. The jobless rate in metro Albany in August 2009 was 9.9 percent.

Although the jobless rate rose, the number of payroll jobs increased 17,800, or five-tenths of a percentage point, from 3,802,500 in July to 3,820,300 in August. Still, the number of jobs remains less than in August 2009, when there were 3,847,000 payroll jobs, seven-tenths of a percentage point, or 26,700 more than this year. In metro Albany, the number of payroll jobs increased 100, from 61,700 in July to 61,800.

“Georgia’s job market is stagnant and almost one-half of jobless Georgians have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer.” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. “Many employers are reluctant to hire because of the costs and risks associated with bringing on new employees. To help alleviate their concerns, we have expanded our Georgia Work$ (GW$) training initiative. Now, all jobless Georgians, not just unemployment insurance claimants, will be eligible to receive six weeks of on-the-job training from Georgia employers.”

GW$ is designed to stimulate job creation and hiring. Unemployed job seekers who register with the GDOL may receive training from participating employers and up to $600 in stipends to offset training related expenses, such as transportation and child care. Additional information is available at www.dol.state.ga.us, any GDOL career center, or by calling 1-877-WORKS09.

Also in August, 1,232 laid-off workers in metro Albany filed initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, a decrease of 69, or 5.3 percent, from 1,301 in July. Statewide, 70,264 laid-off workers filed initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in August, an increase of 2,175, or 3.2 percent, from 68,089 in July. And, there was also an increase of 395 initial claims, or six-tenths of a percentage point, from 69,869 filed in August 2009. Most of the first-time claims were filed in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, administrative and support services, and construction.

Local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.