WILSON N.C. – Beginning this weekend, North Carolinians who want to apply for unemployment benefits must prove they're actively searching for work.  

This requirement was waived by Gov. Roy Cooper due to the pandemic but, as of Sunday, it's coming back.  

Attempting to join the workforce again after getting laid off during the pandemic may be a daunting task, but there is hope. 

For example, Bridgestone is looking for new several new employees to join them at their plant in Wilson. 

Reggie Fleming is currently a production leader at the plant, but he didn’t start off there. 

“I started here in 2015, I was a maintenance technician," Fleming said. "After that, I became a maintenance crew lead. I let a a group of maintenance technicians. Now I have the opportunity to be on the operations side.” 

The state’s commerce department reports North Carolina has the 10th largest manufacturing workforce in the country. 

It’s why plants like the one in Wilson are always in need of workers, even in the middle of a pandemic. 

“We take people basically right off the street," Fleming says. "You see people become production leads just like myself and they just have a high school diploma.”

“Folks that are interested in mechanical skills, technical skills, things of that nature would be a really good for for a plant like ours," says Anthony Powell, human resources manager at Bridgestone. "However, the doors are wide open for many backgrounds.” 

Fleming joined the team not knowing where it would lead, but says he is glad he took the leap. He hopes others who are searching for meaningful work can join him. 

“If you want a sustainable job that can help your family to grow and prosper, this is definitely a job that can do that," Fleming says.

If you want to apply, click here. 

The work search requirement is only for people who are just now applying for unemployment benefits.  If you have been on unemployment prior to March 14, the work search requirement does not apply.