South Carolina Employment Scene

According to the states' Employment Security Commission, there were 10,700 South Carolina jobs lost in the month of June. Between the loss of jobs and the addition of 200,000 individuals searching for positions, the state's unemployment rate rose to 5.5 percent. Thankfully this did not increase the National statistics, which remain steady at 4.5 percent.

Due to this increase the state currently has the fifth highest number of people not working. Five of the states counties had jobless rates over 10 percent, the worst being Marlboro county where 11.8 percent of the population was unable to find work. Horry and Lexington had the lowest percent of individuals searching employment. The month's data showed that only 4.1 percent of residents were without work.

Approximately 13,100 South Carolina jobs were done away with by the government, due to the cut back of employees usually seen with the end of the school year. With summer being tourist season, the leisure and hospitality industries were able to offset some of this by adding new positions. Nevertheless, there currently not enough South Carolina jobs to go around.

According to the State's Commission “this is normal for this time of year. Our labor market continues to strengthen, and we expect the jobless rate to trend downward for the remainder of the year.”

The Palmetto state is also struggling with an unproductive manufacturing industry. Within the last year alone there have been over 10,000 jobs lost in South Carolina as this sector continues to struggle. Individuals trained in this area of expertise seem to be running out of employment options.

In Orangeburg county, there will soon be forty new positions available in the field as the Okonite Company expands. Still, with so many people searching for similar South Carolina jobs, this will most likely do little to lower the unemployment rate.

Loss of jobs aside, the Commission says that the statistics are actually good news as they show improvement from years prior. When compared to the data from June 2006, it was found that 33,100 more individuals held on to their South Carolina jobs than before. Although the state's unemployment rate may seem high, it also indicates progress from the previous year's 6.5 percent of individuals who were without jobs.

Individuals without jobs in South Carolina will most likely find relief in the months to come. For the time being, contacting temp agencies should be considered. Those who live near the border of North Carolina or Georgia might also want to look for employment in those neighboring cities.