Availability

The average unemployment rate in the Greer metro area was over 5 percent in 2003. However, when evaluating an area’s labor force, it is important to look beyond the unemployment rate. In reality, the existing and potential labor pool can be drawn from eight groups:

• Those presently employed
• Those presently unemployed and actively seeking employment
• Those presently under-employed
• Those not participating in the labor force
• Those turning 18 and entering the workforce
• College graduates produced nationally
• Those commuting into the region for employment
• Those commuting out of the region for employment

Underemployed

In a 30-mile radius of Greer 21.4 percent of the resident labor force had individual gross annual income earnings of $12,000 or less per annum in tax year 2001. This is equal to approximately $5.77 per hour based on a 2,080-hour work year common to business and industry. This percentage represents 94,376 residents. Workers from this relatively low earnings group are among the first to respond to more rewarding job opportunities and are a valuable source of experienced, recruitable workers to new and expanding businesses.

Persons Not in the Labor Force

This group is composed of persons age 18 - 64 who, for a variety of reasons, are not part participating in the labor force. In Greenville and Spartanburg Counties there are an estimated 73,215 residents not participating in the labor force.

Persons Reaching Employment Age (18)

Population figures indicate that approximately 22,835 residents will reach 18 each year in a 30 mile radius of the Greer area. Of those graduating from high school, about 65 percent continue on with their education. The majority of the remaining labor force will enter the job market, thus providing over 7,000 entry level workers per year.

College Graduates

An additional number of potential employees graduate annually from colleges and universities in the Upstate region. These institutions produce an estimated 9,000 graduates per year. With bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees and technical training, this group provides an excellent pool of qualified candidates.

Commuters Approximately 33,400 workers commute from Greenville and Spartanburg Counties daily to jobs outside their counties. Experience has shown that workers in this group will usually respond to comparable or better employment opportunities closer to home.