Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) made the following announcement:
“The Department of Labor announced recently that 431,000 jobs were added to our national economy in May. In part due to jobs bills passed by Congress, such as the recently passed Home Star Energy Retrofit Act that will create roughly 170,000 American jobs in manufacturing, employment in factories has risen by 126,000 during the past 5 months. All in all, we have seen five consecutive quarters of overall job growth.
There is certainly good economic news. However, the unemployment rate in most of Western North Carolina far exceeds the national rate of 9.7%. While some of our counties have unemployment rates more or less consistent with the national average, others are much higher.
High levels of unemployment in Western North Carolina contradict the tremendous skills, knowledge and know-how possessed by our local communities. Consistently, businesses that move to our mountain region say that they remain here because of the high-quality of our available workers.
We have a number of strong, American companies in our district who, with recent upticks in the economy, have available positions. For this reason, I am announcing a series of jobs fairs to take place in the coming summer months throughout our district. I will be working with many of our local community colleges, businesses and other regional partners to ensure that these job fairs are as productive as possible. I am enthusiastic to be able to facilitate job fairs to make sure our Western North Carolinians are aware of the employment opportunities that are available.”
Rep. Shuler, with the Employment Security Commission (ESC); Southwestern Community College; the Chambers of Commerce of Jackson County, Swain County and Franklin Area; and the Macon County Economic Development Commission, is hosting workforce training and employer training seminars from 10am to 12pm on July 9 at the Franklin Employment Security Commission Office at 427 Harrison Avenue. The seminars will address issues such as resume development, job interview training, work opportunity tax credits, and more. Additionally, the ESC will offer assistance with job applications for local job offers.
Rep. Shuler, with Tri-County Community College; the Southwestern Commission Workforce Development Board, local Chambers of Commerce; the Economic Development Commissions of Graham and Cherokee; and the ESC, is hosting a job fair at the former Coats American facility at 155 Palmer Lane in Marble on August 14. Murphy Medical Center will also hold a health fair in conjunction with this job fair.
Other jobs fairs are being planned and will be announced as additional details are confirmed.
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