April’s unemployment picture

Oconee and Pickens counties finished April with identical 5.2% jobless rates.  Neighboring Anderson recorded a little less than 5% of its workforce out of work but looking to be re-employed.  The statewide unemployment rate stood at 5.8% while nationally it was 5%.  The April numbers show 1,847 members of the county’s workforce on the sideline.  But 33,650 are gainfully employed.  One local builder tells us that there’s gainful employment to be had if people learn the important skill of carpentry.  Westminster’s Brian Ramey says you simply can’t build a home without good carpenters.