Georgia 
 
Department of Labor 
 
NEWS RELEASE 
 
SUITE 642 
 
 
 
(404) 232-3685 
 
148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E. 
 
 
 
ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751 
 
 
 
FAX (404) 657-9996 
 
 Communications@dol.state.ga.us 
 
Michael Thurmond 
 
Sam Hall 
 
Commissioner 
 
Director 
 
of Communications 
 
Nov. 25, 2004....................................................................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
 
Southeast Georgia's unemployment rate and workforce decline 
 
ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the unemployment rate in the Southeast Georgia area for October was 4.2 percent, a decrease of three-tenth percent from a revised 4.5 percent in September. The area's jobless rate in October of 2003 was 5.1 percent. 
 
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in Georgia for October was 4.2 percent, a decrease of one-tenth percent from a revised 4.3 percent in September. The state's jobless rate in October of 2003 was 4.5 percent. 
 
"While the unemployment rate declined slightly in October, the number of employed workers has remained virtually unchanged for the past 12 months," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "In the past year, the unemployment rate has declined, not because more people are working, but because about 10,000 unemployed workers have left Georgia's job market. They may have moved to other states to seek employment or become discouraged and simply quit looking for a job." 
 
Georgia added 12,300 payroll jobs in October, mostly seasonal work in the service industries such as retail trade, local education, and temporary employment agencies. But, while the overall number of jobs grew, the state experienced job losses in manufacturing and leisure and hospitality. Over the past 12 months, the state has a net gain of only 32,400 jobs, a job growth rate of eight-tenths of one percent. 
 
"We must create jobs at a faster pace," said Thurmond. "The Georgia Department of Labor's initiative called Georgia Works is successful in helping laid-off workers find new jobs and change careers, and I encourage unemployed workers to use Georgia Works in their quest for a brighter future." 
 
Georgia Works allows job seekers to get on-site workplace training while continuing to receive unemployment benefits. It's working extremely well for both job seekers and employers in that nearly 60 percent of those who complete Georgia Works training are hired. Information about Georgia Works is available through any of the labor department's 53 career centers. 
 
Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us. 
 
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. TABLE AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA AT AVAILABLE AT http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm 
CY-04-707