According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland’s unemployment rate rose once again during the month of June. The state’s jobless rate increased by 0.1 percent from May’s 7.2 percent to 7.3 percent. Although this is still below the national average of 9.5 percent, it is significantly higher than Maryland’s unemployment during the same month in 2008. In June of last year only 4.3 percent of people could not find jobs in Maryland.

“While Maryland’s unemployment rate remains considerably below the national average, all too many Marylanders are still being affected by this economic crisis,” said the Secretary of the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Thomas E. Perez. “We will continue to assist in any way possible to help return to the workforce.”

During June, employers in the state did away with approximately 1,100 jobs. The largest declines reported during the month were done so by businesses that provide administrative and support services. This area of employment did away with a total of 3,000 jobs in June. Other sectors help to make up for the losses experienced in this sector. The largest job gains occurred in the retail industry, professional and business services and the leisure and hospitality sector.

Other areas near Maryland also posted a rise in unemployment during the month of June. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Virginia saw a 0.1 percent increase in jobless from May’s 7.1 percent to 7.2 percent. This is significantly higher than the state’s unemployment rate in the same month last year. In June of 2008 only 3.9 percent of Virginia residents were unable to find work.

The national capital also reported an increase in unemployment during June. D.C.’s jobless rate rose 0.2 percent, going from May’s 10.7 percent to 10.9 percent. In June of 2008 the district’s jobless rate was 6.8 percent.

Currently North Dakota has the lowest jobless rate in the country, with only 4.2 percent of residents unable to find work. Across the nation there are 15 states that have an unemployment rate over 10 percent including: Alabama (10.1 percent), Georgia (10.1 percent), Illinois (10.3 percent), Florida (10.6 percent), Indiana (10.7 percent), Tennessee (10.8 percent), Kentucky (10.9 percent), North Carolina (11 percent), Ohio (11.1 percent), California (11.6 percent), Nevada (12 percent), South Carolina (12.1 percent), Oregon (12.2 percent), Rhode Island (12.4 percent) and Michigan (15.2 percent.)

Looking for a job at any age can be difficult, but for those older members of the workforce there are specific issues. The recent economic struggle has caused many of these workers to lose jobs that they have held for a long time. According to a recent press release, this area of the population has been hit particularly hard by the rising job losses.

A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of job search engine Careerbuilder.com found that only 28 percent of workers age 55 and older who were laid off during the last 12 months have found new jobs. This is the lowest percentage of all age groups. For example, 71 percent of people between the ages of 25 and 34 that have lost their jobs have been able to find new ones.

Because of the problems of finding new jobs, the survey found that many of these older workers have expanded their job search efforts to include entry level positions and internships. On top of this, many are considering relocating for work and other options that would help them find work. Thankfully, the survey found that many employers are open to the idea.

According to the recent poll, 63 percent of people 55 or older that have been laid off have applied for jobs that below the level they are used to. Another 44 percent reported that they have been informed by employers that they are overqualified for positions that they have applied for.

Since some employers are open to hiring older workers for these positions, this now means that recent college graduates and younger workers are now having to compete with more experienced job seekers.

By polling employers Careerbuilder.com found that 26 percent have had workers who are 50 or older apply for entry level positions. Another 11 percent said that they have been receiving applications for these positions from retirees.

The good news for these workers is that 65 percent of employers reported that they would consider hiring overqualified workers for entry level jobs.

In hopes of landing long term employment, some older workers have begun to apply for internship programs. The survey found that 7 percent of employers have received applications for these often non-paid positions from mature workers. Another 4 percent reported that they have hired older applicants for internships.

The percentage of older workers who reported that they are willing to relocate for a job is somewhat surprising. According to the survey, of the mature workers who have been laid off and are still unemployed, 41 percent said that they would consider moving to another city for work.

With unemployment rising, fewer people can afford to spend money on such things as new cars and other consumer goods. Because of this automakers are no having to struggle to stay afloat, which has meant an increase in the number of manufacturing jobs cut at the plants responsible for creating these new vehicles.

According to a recent press release, automaker General Motors Corp. (GM), which was already struggling, is now in the process of cutting approximately 1,600 jobs in North America. Over the next few days, the company is expected to slice away these positions from its white-collar workforce.

Over the last few months, GM has been doing everything it can to qualify for part of the government’s automaker bail out. In order to do this, the company has had to change its infrastructure. The job cuts are just the most recent part of the company’s attempt to fit the government’s criteria.

Troy Clarke, who is President of GM North America, sent out a mass e-mail to the employees who will be affected by the layoffs. His note referred to the cuts as unfortunate but necessary.

“In these unprecedented times, GM is reinventing every aspect of our business, including our organizational size and structure, to create a lean and agile company,” Clarke wrote in the e-mail.

He went on to refer to the remainder of this week as “a very trying time for the entire GM team, but especially for those employees directly impacted by these actions.”

At this time, GM is operating exclusively on approximately $13.4 billion in government issues loans. Coming up on June 1st is a deadline for the company to decrease their expenses and gain concessions from stakeholders if the company hopes to receive increased funding from the federal government.

Although the 1,600 job cuts should help to make this possible, there is no telling if they will be enough. GM may have to layoff more employees in the near future in order to ensure the government money.

“There is no question, as we look at our revised plan to go deeper and go faster in our operational restructuring, there will be further reductions in manpower, people, that are going to affect communities, affect plants and people, both on hourly and the salaried side of the business,” said GM’s CEO Fritz Henderson in recent statement.

The exact locations that will be affecting by GM’s decision to cut workers is not known at this time.

GM isn’t the only automaker struggling. Ford recently announced that it will be temporarily laying off 1,400 workers at its Chicago manufacturing plant.

“If there is not an actual demand for our products, then our plants will see down time,” David Schoenecker, Chicago UAW Local 551 member and Ford employee, told ABC Channel 7 News. “In the past, we did business in a sense of well, we’ll always sell the type of situation.”

With the economy suffering as it, such a situation no longer exists, making it harder for automakers to continue to produce vehicles and employee workers at rates they have been familiar with.