Virginia labor force reaches record high, according to report

According to the LAUS data, Virginians employed by payrolls rose by 3,233 to 4,451,840, while the number of unemployed residents decreased by 74 to 139,703.

Virginia’s unemployment rate is now nearly a full percentage point below the national rate, according to the data.

Virginia Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater said that with the many job openings in the commonwealth, the focus remains on training Virginians in high-demand occupations to continue to increase the labor force participation.

“It’s encouraging to see historic levels of Virginians joining the labor force and more Virginians working in February,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “This shows that job seekers are taking advantage of career opportunities in the commonwealth and supporting our economic development efforts.”