MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s unemployment rate is nearly one percent higher than the national average.
The 5.7% seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August is slightly down from July, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the state’s unemployment numbers are higher than those in neighboring states Ohio (4.7%), Kentucky (4.9%) and Virginia(3.9%).
The national unemployment rate for August was 4.9%, and West Virginia ranked 42nd in the country for jobless residents.
West Virginia University, WVU Medicine and U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s office have planned a series of career workshops designed specifically for job seekers, culminating with a major career and resource fair in the Charleston area.
“We want to keep people in our state of course. That’s the main criteria. We want to promote a spirit of one West Virginia,” said Charlotte Swiger, co-coordinator and Senior Employment Outreach Specialist at WVU.
Leading up to the career and resource fair, organizers have scheduled workshops for areas hardest hit by flooding in June.
“We know that some of the areas that have been flood damaged, people have lost their employment. We just wanted to let them know that WVU is always hiring,” Swiger explained.
Representatives from WVU Medicine and the University will give tips for resume preparation and interview guidance in workshops at the following times and locations:
- Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Richwood Baptist Church
- Sept. 28, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Clendenin Nazarene Church
- Sept. 29, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Rainelle Town Hall
- Sept. 29, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Workforce WV office, Fairlea
On Friday, September 30, more than 90 vendors are expected at the career fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center of BridgeValley Community and Technical College in the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston.
“That includes a number of regional and area employers, social service agencies as well as a military zone. There will be representatives from various military branches,” noted Swiger.
Expected employers include Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Lowes, UPS and the Charleston Police Department.