NORFOLK, Va. - Virginia's unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in nearly a decade, Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Friday.
October's unemployment rate of 3.6 percent was the lowest rate since the March 2008 rate of 3.6 percent.
"We are almost at structurally full employment in the Commonwealth today," McAuliffe said. "It's a quite a change." McAuliffe said when he took office in January 2014 the rate was 5.4%
He made the announcement at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Opportunity Inc.'s revamped one-stop shop at Military Circle. The shop expanded to offer more services. A center to help veterans will open in January a floor above Opportunity Inc.
"We want to start helping [service members] to plan before they exit the military, so we're here to provide that service and guidance," said Delceno Miles, chairman of the board of directors of Opportunity Inc.
That transition from military service can be a challenge. "There are a lot of unknowns, like writing a resume, particularly those who are career military haven't had to write a resume in 20-plus years," Miles said.
The center offers services to help with resume writing techniques and computer training. "Many of those military members already come with great skills and we want to keep those skills right here in Hampton Roads," Miles said.
