DURHAM, N.C. -- There are more jobless people in our state than we've had in the past three years, showing proof that the slowing economy is taking a toll on the North Carolina work force.

The state unemployment rate increased to 5.4 percent in April. That's higher than the national average of five percent.

 

At the same time, enrollment at community colleges is on the rise.

 

More than 500 students of Durham Technology Community College graduated Friday.

For many of them, it's a second chance for a better job.

 

Honor graduate Pricilla Jones got her degree in paralegal technology.

 

"Because of the economic condition in our country and all the layoffs and jobs being sent overseas, it is important to hone in on your education,” Jones said.

 

Jones went to school part time while working at Research Triangle Park full time. Job security was her biggest motive to going back to school.

 

Mahmood Montazeri went back because he was laid off a of couple years ago.

    

"I worked there for almost 16 years and the economic was bad. They closed down and sent it to Singapore so after that the government offered to send me back to school to get a two-year degree and I said sure, why not,” Montazeri said.

 

Montazeri said he's already getting job offers.

 

"The money I was getting there was just paying my bills,” Montazeri said. “(That’s) not enough to live, but right now since I got my degree I know I can get better jobs, and more money and save some money and support my family."

 

Durham Tech officials said the average age of a two-year college student recently went down from 32 to 26. That’s because more students who want to get a four-year degree are taking the cheaper route the first two years out of high school.

 

There are about 25,000 students at Durham Tech. Health technology programs remain most popular, making up about a quarter of the college offerings.