MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) For the third consecutive month, Alabama's unemployment rate falls to under seven percent.
The rate for January fell to 6.9 percent. Governor Robert Bentley stated the state is seeing a positive trend. The news was not so great for both Mobile and Baldwin counties. Mobile County had an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent, while Baldwin County had 7.5 percent.
Mobile native McArthur Fluker has been desperately searching for work for the last three months. He lost his job as a cook at a local restaurant.
"It's been kind of tough. I got a daughter that's in college, and she's getting ready to graduate. You know just trying to make ends meet," said Fluker.
Governor Bentley announced unemployment fell to 6.9 percent across the state.
"I was excited that the rate has dropped because that means people are finding jobs," said Director of Marketing and Public Relations Pamela Ware.
In Mobile County, unemployment rose from 7.3 percent to 8.7 percent, but officials stated they are quite optimistic.
"There's a lot of promise for Mobile County. You have a lot of companies such as Airbus that's planning on hiring," said Ware.
President of Mobile Works Sydney Raine stated the Alabama Career Center not only provides a resource center for those looking for work, but it has partnered with businesses and local colleges to train individuals on welding, health care, and of course Aerospace industries.
Raine stated, "We presently are funding about 90 young people in class now at Enterprise learning the various trades as it relates to the aerospace industry."
He added, "Once they complete the Airbus training program they'll be right in line."
Even Baldwin County's rate rose from 6.3 percent to 7.5 percent, but officials believe those numbers will come down with tourism during the spring and summer.
"We do need the work you know to put people back to work," said Fluker.
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