Both workers and employers continue to face a shrinking job market as data released by the Georgia Department of Labor indicates that the high unemployment rate held steady throughout August.

According to the department of labor, the unemployment rate for Coosa Valley decreased slightly from July’s figure of 6.4 percent to 6.3 percent in August. In August 2007 the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, indicating a rise of 2.1 percentage points over the past year. The unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of people who are able to work and seeking employment but are currently unemployed.

In August 2008 there were 145 new Georgia unemployment insurance initial claims, compared to 319 in July and 103 in August 2007. This translates to a total a decrease of 54.5 percent in initial claims between July and August, but a 40.8 percent increase in claims over the past year.

Georgia’s total unemployment rate was also 6.3 percent in August compared to 4.5 percent in August 2007. According to the Department of Labor, 6.3 percent is the highest level of unemployment in Georgia in the past 15 years. Georgia’s has remained above the national unemployment rate of 6.1 percent for the past seven months.

According to the data, unemployment is increasing while the number of jobs is decreasing. In metro Atlanta, 21,100 jobs were eliminated over the past year, while 37,700 payroll jobs were eliminated throughout the state during the same period, leaving 310,683 Georgia residents searching for employment.

The Department of Labor reported that the eliminations have affected all sectors of the job market, including manufacturing, construction, trade and services.

“Finding a new job in this economic environment is going to be difficult,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond in a prepared statement. “But I continue to encourage job seekers to keep the faith and remember that finding a new job is not impossible. They should make maximum use of the services of the Georgia Department of Labor through our Web site or by personally visiting one of our 53 career centers throughout the state.”

The department of labor offers unemployment insurance, weekly benefits and job search assistance, and classes on resume writing and job interview skills as part of the department’s efforts to serve Georgia residents and lower the unemployment rate.

The department recently launched a new program called Georgia Works, which grants qualifying laid off workers on-site workplace training, regular unemployment benefits and a special training allowance. The allowance is to lower the costs of childcare, transportation, tools, work clothes and other costs resulting from job training.

“Georgia Works enables businesses to audition potential employees,” said Thurmond. “It helps the unemployed gain access to training and, potentially, new jobs. What this does is create a transitional period between unemployment and employment.”

The nearest department of labor career center is located in Carrollton at 275 Northside Dr. More information about unemployment programs can be found at www.dol.state.ga.us.