S.C. Employment Takes Hit in July

South Carolina saw a slight increase in unemployment in July following a typical trend for summer months, according to figures released today.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.6 percent in July from 9.4 percent in June, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce reported.

“The state’s unemployment rate has once again mirrored the movements of the national rate," said Abraham J. Turner, executive director of the SC Department of Employment and Workforce. "A decline in payroll employment is typical for this time of year, as educational institutions are on break for the summer.”

The overall labor force fell slightly by 7,191 people to 2,143,275. This pattern is similar to the trend in 2011 of falling employment and rising unemployment during the middle of the year, the state reports.

Historically, employment decreases during the summer months due to the seasonal ebb and flow of employment in the educational sector. The national unemployment rate increased slightly from 8.2 percent in June to 8.3 percent in July.

There are open positions, the Department of Employment and Workforce reported.

The Charleston Metro — Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties — had the most advertised open positions in July with 13,598 apparently open positions. The Midlands Workforce Area — Fairfield, Lexington, and Richland counties — was second with 12,776 new jobs. Of all online ads, Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations had the highest number of ads in the state with 9,909 advertisements.