Aug. 28--The unemployment rate for the Columbus metro area rose slightly in July, but still managed to remain in single digits, the Georgia Department of Labor reported today.

The city posted a 9.8 percent jobless rate last month, up from 9.7 percent in June.

More dramatically, the number of local unemployed workers has ballooned over the last year to 12,732 in July. That compares to 4,203 people who were out of work in July 2008.

The Columbus metro area includes the Georgia counties of Muscogee, Chattahoochee and Harris, as well as Russell County in Alabama.

Breaking down July jobless rates in individual counties, Muscogee was 9.7 percent, Harris was 7.5 percent, Chattahoochee was 14.6 percent. In Alabama, Russell County registered 11.5 percent last month, according to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations. Alabama's unemployment rate last month was 10.6 percent.

A week ago, the department reported that Columbus' work force has declined by 1,300 over the past year, totaling 119,300 last month.

Georgia's overall rate in July was 10.3 percent, with nearly 494,000 of the state's residents out of work and actively seeking employment.

Job losses across the state have come in manufacturing, trade, transportation and warehousing, professional and business services, and construction, the department said. Sectors showing job growth include health care, private educational services and local and state government.

A national hiring survey, conducted by staffing firm Robert Half International and employment Web site CareerBuilder.com, found that firms are already looking past the recession and expecting to hire in certain sectors during the next 12 months.

Of more than 500 hiring managers surveyed, 53 percent plan to add full-time workers, with another 40 percent anticipating hiring contract, temporary or project professionals, according to the Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations report. About 39 percent of employers plan part-time hires.

Health care is always in demand, but the survey found customer service jobs, sales, marketing and technology people will be needed. Public relations and communications, business development, and accounting and finance positions also made the prospective hiring list as the United States rebounds from a recession that began in December 2007.

"Companies already are identifying the key skill sets they will need in new hires to take advantage of the opportunities presented by improving economic conditions," Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive office of Robert Half International, said in a statement. "Firms that cut staffing levels too deeply may need to do significant rebuilding once the recovery takes hold."

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