Triad jobless rate at 4.3% in January. Employment up in private education, down in manufacturing

The Triad's unemployment rate remains on a mild yo-yo pattern as more residents exited the job market, the N.C. Commerce Department reported last week.

Over the past three months, the Triad's jobless rate has gone from 4.3% in November to 3.6% in December and then back to 4.3% in January.

The January report is the third monthly state-level employment update from Commerce since the six-week federal government shutdown ended Nov. 13. The reports are based on data collected and analyzed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The latest report continues to reflect a stagnant market for both job seekers and employers.

The 10-county Piedmont Triad region experienced a 3,635-job decline in the labor force from December to January, bringing the total to 809,126 listed as employed.

Meanwhile, those listed as unemployed jumped by nearly 5,000 to 29,534.

The unemployment rate usually is affected by workers being hired or by job eliminations. Those voluntarily leaving the workforce are not counted as unemployed.

The jobless rates in Forsyth and Guilford counties were also up and down.

Forsyth's employment rate went from 4.4% in November to 3.6% in December and 4.3% in January.

Meanwhile, Guilford's rate in those three months went from 4.7% to 4% to 4.6%.

Economists consider a 5% unemployment rate as full employment.

Altogether, all 14 counties in the Triad and northwest N.C. had an increase in their month-over-month jobless rate.

Commerce no longer provides a monthly update on metro hiring patterns across eight private-sector categories and state and local government.

The Winston-Salem metro area of Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes and Yadkin counties had a net year-over-year gain of 2,800 private sector jobs. Leading the year-over-year net gains were 2,600 jobs in private education and health services, and 700 each in the lower-wage leisure and hospitality sector and in professional and business services.

Meanwhile, there was a year-over-year loss of 700 jobs in manufacturing and a 400-job drop in financial activities.

For the three-county Greensboro-High Point metro area of Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties, there was a net gain of 2,300 private-sector jobs.

Leading the year-over-year net gains were 2,400 jobs in private education and health services, and 1,500 jobs in leisure and hospitality.

There was also a loss of 700 in manufacturing jobs, 400 in professional and business services, and 300 in information technology.

"Hiring momentum is clearly slowing across the country, and North Carolina is not immune," said Mark Vitner, chief economist with Piedmont Crescent Capital. "Businesses have become more cautious about slowing economic growth and increased policy uncertainty. Workers are also remaining in their jobs longer, with turnover slowing sharply across all industries.

"With fewer people leaving jobs, the need for hiring has been reduced. We are seeing this in nearly every industry, with turnover running nearly a third below its long-term norm."

Manufacturing job losses have been acutely felt in the Triad with at least 11 plant closing announcements since the start of 2025. More than 1,200 jobs were lost in those announcements.

Financial shortfalls for AppHealthCare has led to the northwest North Carolina health care agency announcing last week plans to eliminate 23 jobs by June 30. Prior to the posting, the agency listed having 120 full-time and part-time employees and 10 contact workers.

Prepac Manufacturing US LLC, a maker of ready-to-assemble furniture, plans to close its Whitsett manufacturing plant by May 2 and eliminate 200 jobs.

CJ Logistics America LLC, a business unit of a South Korean supply chain and logistics company, is closing its Rural Hall facility by March 23 and eliminating 99 jobs.

BekaertDeslee, a Belgian-based textile manufacturer, said Jan. 19 it is eliminating 40 jobs at its Winston-Salem workforce as part of a "strategic realignment." The company produces mattress ticking, mattress covers and other sleep-oriented products.

Qualicaps Inc. said 91 jobs would be eliminated by the end of 2026 as part of closing its Whitsett facility.

10 Roads Express LLC is closing its 407 Norwalk St. location in Greensboro by Feb. 28. The notice lists 74 affected employees, including 67 drivers. The company said closing the Greensboro facility is part of an overall shutdown related to the discontinuation of its business with the U.S. Postal Service.

Precision Concepts International LLC shuttered earlier in February its operations at 1403A S. Third St. in Mebane, affecting 59 employees.

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