The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Albany’s unemployment rate for June was 6.6 percent, up 1 percent from 5.6 percent in May. The rate in June 2015 was 7.5 percent.

The rate rose as the labor force increased by 642 to 66,836, as students and others entered the job market looking for work. The labor force consists of people employed and those who are unemployed but actively looking for jobs. The number of unemployed workers rose by 687, while the number of employed people decreased by 45.        

Also, the number of jobs decreased by 600, or 1 percent, to 61,900 in June. Most of the decrease came in state and local government, including the public schools. Much of the decline is a temporary seasonal loss as schools close for the summer.  

However, over the year, Albany gained 1,400 jobs, a 2.3 percent growth rate, up from 60,500 in June 2015. Most of the job gains came in the service industries, such as trade, transportation and warehousing, along with the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction. Local government also added jobs.

The number of initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 247, or 28.9 percent, to 608 in June. Most of the decrease came in manufacturing. And, over the year, claims were down by 45, or 6.9 percent, from 653 in June 2015.

Metro Gainesville had the lowest area jobless rate at 4.7 percent, while the Heart of Georgia/Altamaha region had the highest at 6.9 percent. 

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for June was 5.1 percent, down from 5.3 percent in May. It was 5.8 percent in June 2015.

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the GDOL’s online job listing service, www.employgeorgia.com to search for jobs or recruit new employees.  In June, 606 new job openings in Albany were posted on Employ Georgia. Throughout the state, 64,944 new job openings were posted.