JobsStat

Although the national unemployment rate reached 9.4 percent in May, Virginia’s job market continues to fair better than much of the country. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that only 7.1 percent of the city’s population was without work during the month. According to a recent press release, 30 new jobs will soon be created in Virginia.

Quebecor World Inc., a Canadian marketing and advertising company, has announced that they will be investing approximately $35.2 million to expand their operation in Frederick County. Two new printing pressed will be added to this facility, which will enable to company to create the new positions and retain 150 workers they already employee.

“Quebecor World has thrived in Frederick County for two decades,” said Virginia Governor Kaine in the recent press release. “It speaks volumes that the company’s Virginia operations were chosen for this expansion and increase in production. I am confident that Quebecor World will enjoy continued success in the Commonwealth.”

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Unemployment across the nation has been on the rise. Most recently the U.S. jobless rate climbed to 7.6 percent. Despite this, jobs in Virginia have remained comparatively easy to find, considering the labor situation. This most likely has to do with the large presence of government jobs.

Although the situation is not as bad in Virginia as it has been for the rest of the nation, unemployment is still on the rise in the state. The most recent statistics show that the jobless rate jumped from 4.8 percent in November to 5.4 percent in December. During this time the national average was 7.2 percent.

Despite the fact that the local economy seems to be fairing relatively well, all things considered, many employers are still doing away with some of the Virginia jobs that they provide. One business currently in the process of doing this is Stanley Furniture, which recently announced that it will be doing away with 100 jobs at its Stanleytown, Virginia plant. The soon-to-be axed jobs are all in production.

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Continental AG, a leading global automotive supplier, will transfer its South Carolina manufacturing operations to its Newport News, Virginia, facility, creating 318 new jobs. The consolidation will combine the diesel and gasoline fuel injector manufacturing operations into a single location. The company will invest $194 million to relocate diesel fuel injector manufacturing as well as expand the existing gasoline fuel injector business line.

“This consolidation project is tremendous news for Virginia,” said Governor Tim Kaine. “Valuable jobs could have been transferred out of state and not only did we retain more than 500 positions, we will gain an additional 318 employment opportunities. The infrastructure in place in Newport News fit Continental’s needs and the trained workforce in the region put the Commonwealth in the lead.”

Continental AG is the fourth largest automotive supplier worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 150,000 people at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

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