New figures out today paint a grim picture of the jobs market in the Hunter.
The region's unemployment rate has more than doubled since mid February.
Business NSW data shows 19,000 jobs have been lost in the region between February 15 and April 4.
The jobless rate in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie now sits at 9.7 percent, while the rate in the Valley has risen from 4.5 in January to 10.1 percent.
Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes says while the accommodation, food services and arts sectors have been hit hard, other sectors appear to be coping well with the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Areas like education, health, retail - some of the bigger employers around the region haven't suffered as much and hopefully we can leverage those industries as we start the recovery process, knowing that we've got some industries that are going to hopefully get back to normal in a reasonably quick time period when that happens," he said.
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| Hunter Business Chamber CEO, Bob Hawes |
