THE ISSUE: Having the nation's lowest unemployment rate is something for which the Birmingham/Hoover area can be proud. But there's still plenty of work to do.
Here's a news item that would no doubt surprise people outside of Alabama. In fact, it no doubt surprises some people in this state and in this area.
The Birmingham/Hoover metro area has the lowest unemployment rate in the country of metropolitan areas of 1 million people or more. That's right: We're No. 1. In something good, rather than bringing up the rear in some quality-of-life measure, as we've unfortunately become accustomed; or ranking near the top in a negative category, such as homicides or school dropouts.
The 2.7 percent jobless rate in October, easily beating out second-place Richmond's 3.0 percent rate, is something we can and should be proud of. It shows the Birmingham/Hoover area is a great place to find a job. And there's a great diversity of jobs available, in health care, banking, construction, retail, etc.
Our low unemployment rate also is a sign the region's economy continues to grow. So many employers wouldn't be hiring if the economy was souring. It's no stretch to say the region's economy is the best it's ever been, powered by continued growth at UAB, the region's biggest employer with nearly 19,000 workers, and a strong demand for skilled workers in many fields.
Certainly, our region benefits from a strong state economy as well. Alabama's jobless rate, a record low 3.1 percent in October, is much lower than the national average of 4.7 percent.
But the impressive unemployment numbers don't mean Birmingham and the region must not confront serious economic challenges. Indeed, there are many challenges, and ones difficult to solve.
One of the toughest is persistent poverty in inner-city Birmingham. About one in every four families in the city lives below the poverty level, a rate that's comparable to those of some Black Belt counties. The city continues to lose population and jobs.
And just because jobs are plentiful in the metro area doesn't mean the work force is qualified to fill them. Birmingham's poverty rate is high, in part, because many city residents lack the skills and training needed for better-paying jobs, and low-skill jobs pay low wages.
Of course, businesses face the challenge of finding qualified workers, particularly those like nurses and other health-care workers who possess special training. Many employers must pay signing bonuses to lure new employees.
The answer to meeting both the needs of employers and unskilled workers is better education and better training. Developing an educated, trained work force will continue to be one of the biggest challenges facing Birmingham and the region.
Still, the good news of the Birmingham/Hoover metro area having the lowest employment in the nation is a great gift this holiday season.
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