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Despite the latest dreary employment data, optimism reigned Friday morning on East Seventh Street.
Among the 55 people graduating from job-training classes, Charnell Wilson was hopeful that her two-year search for work was almost over. Laid off from her job as a billing coordinator at a Charlotte securities firm, Wilson, 39, said it has been tough to find a job as a single mother without a college degree and the skills to compete with other displaced workers.
Then she enrolled this spring in a banking and customer service training program coordinated by Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, which led to multiple interviews for a loan specialist position.
“It is a bad time to look for a job,” Wilson said after receiving her certificate at an uptown community center, “but this class has given me the skills I need.”
Such high spirits will be vital in the next few months, as the ongoing recession and arrival of summer are sending unemployment and the number of job seekers to record highs.
Charlotte-area unemployment jumped in May to 12 percent, the highest of the recession, as companies continued to hold off on hiring and the number of job seekers began swelling with the end of the school year.
Nearly 102,000 area residents were unemployed last month, according to labor statistics released Friday. Both the number of unemployed workers and the jobless rate – up from 5.8 percent in May 2008 and 11.3 percent in April – were the highest in a recession that is midway through its second year.
More than 50,000 of the region's unemployed workers were in Mecklenburg County, where the jobless rate was 11percent, up from 10.2 percent in April.
As the number of people with jobs fell by more than 4,300 to about 751,000, the region's labor force grew by about 800 in May. The work force typically expands in May, June and July, as students, teachers and graduates join the job market.
Learning new skills
Between that deeper pool and the lingering recession, job seekers face more competition for limited opportunities, leading some to boost their skills.
Ranging from six to nine weeks, Goodwill's programs provide free, entry-level training in such fields as banking, construction and hospitality.
The nonprofit organization also helps program graduates find jobs.
After placing about 800 of 1,300 graduates in jobs last year, Goodwill has had a tougher task this year, mainly because of more competition for entry-level jobs, said Bo Hussey, the organization's vice president.
“It has been more difficult,” Hussey said, “ … but it is not impossible.”
Friday's graduating class was larger than usual and included a wide range of work experience.
Lewis Davis, 52, was a truck driver before quitting to spend more time with his family. After spending months looking for work, he enrolled in Goodwill's hospitality training course. Now Davis is volunteering with the American Red Cross and hopes to land a full-time job there.
“I think I'm going to be OK,” he said.
In addition, Davis said, a job that allows him to stay in town means he can go to weekly family potluck dinners. “I missed out when my four kids (were) growing up,” he said, “but now I can be there for my grandkids.”
Confidence boost
Leisure and hospitality has been one of the Charlotte region's few employment bright spots recently, adding 2,300 jobs in May. The industry was still down 3,800 jobs from a year earlier, but those losses pale compared with the 14,500 professional and business services jobs lost over the previous year.
Other sectors that saw increases in May include trade, transportation and utilities with 1,900 jobs, and natural resources, mining and construction with 1,200 jobs.
Between those gains and smaller losses elsewhere – no sector posted declines of more than 800 jobs – economists generally agree that layoffs are slowing. That won't bring the jobless rate down anytime soon, but it could limit new arrivals in an already crowded labor pool.
Then there is the optimism that comes with learning new skills.
Patrice Robinson, 31, endured months of fruitless job interviews after quitting her child care job last year, before the recession rocked the Charlotte region. When she heard about Goodwill's hospitality training program, she jumped at the chance.
“I'm a people person,” she said, “but there was this barrier of fear and lack of experience.”
On Friday, Robinson was recognized for perfect attendance at training classes, an honor that spurred applause from her mother and children. Now she's certain that the resumes she has sent to several hotels – resulting in one interview already – will lead to a job.
“Even with the economy, I feel I will be better-equipped now,” Robinson said. “My confidence level is soaring.”
