New weekly jobless claims have dropped again to a pandemic-era low, according to the Department of Labor. Claims for the week ending April 17 were 547,000—that’s less than the Dow Jones estimate of 603,000.
Continuing claims numbered 3.67 million, a decrease of 34,000. About 8 million fewer Americans are working than the number of employed people prior to the pandemic.
WorkingNation is always looking at stories addressing how different parts of the country are trying to get unemployed people back in the workforce.
Here is some of what we found this week:
From Alaska: Anchorage Daily News reports college students are getting hands-on training to become firefighters.
From Florida: WTXL reports Tallahassee Community College is expanding training for up to 500 people in skilled trades, including HVAC, carpentry, and welding.
From Georgia: Atlanta Business Chronicle reports a South Korean battery manufacturing company is expanding in Jackson County and is expected to create 1,000 jobs by the end of the year with hundreds more by the end of 2023.
From Hawaii: KITV reports the state is hiring people to prep meals, pack supplies, and deliver essentials to communities affected by the pandemic.
From Maine: The Ellsworth American reports Washington County Community College is offering a free 10-week training program on the specifics of the lobster supply chain.
From South Dakota: KEVN reports the state is providing virtual job services, including those for high school students looking for summer work.
From Virginia: Richmond Times-Dispatch reports Virginia’s hospitality association is launching a jobs board and free training program to aid Richmond-area restaurants and hotels in their economic recovery.
From Wisconsin: WBAY reports the Fox Cities Job Center in Menasha is now open for in-person appointments.
April 19: Back to Work: Opportunities include job training in infrastructure, tech, health care
April 12: Back to Work: Training programs address worker shortages
February 15: Back to Work: Programs are using virtual reality to train workers
February 8: Back to Work: Opportunities in cybersecurity, manufacturing, and transportation
January 25: Back to Work: Opportunities in health care and medical science
January 11: Back to Work: Hiring and training across the country, including in the manufacturing sector
December 28: Back to Work: New jobs programs designed to help members of the military
December 21: Back to Work: Initiatives boost employment in construction, health care, alternative energy
December 14: Back to Work: The path from LPN to registered nurse
December 7: Back to Work: Opportunities include trainings, apprenticeships, and work-based learning
We’ll keep looking, so check back for more stories from around the country.
