Although the healthcare industry is one that is often considered to be recession-proof, there is a lack of qualified educators, which is in turn creating a lack of qualified workers to fill healthcare jobs. However, an effort is underway to help create more Rhode Island nursing jobs.

A special legislative commission recently unveiled a proposal to give educators in Rhode Island’s nursing schools a yearly tax credit of $3,500. The credit is an attempt to keep professionals teaching and help prepare for the expected oncoming shortage of nurses throughout the state.

It is expected that Rhode Island will have a shortfall of 1,800 registered nurses by next year. According to an article by The Providence Journal, that number could grow to a shortage of 6,500 registered nurses by 2020. Part of the reason for the lack of qualified nurses is that many potential students are turned away from programs because of a lack of teachers.

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More than 100 new Rhode Island construction jobs will be created through airport renovation projects.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently awarded $6.2 million to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation for two construction projects at the state’s general aviation airports. Work at Quonset Airport and Newport Airport will create about 150 jobs in design, construction and contract work.

Nationwide, a total of $1.1 million in stimulus money was given out for airport renovation, with $53 million of that in New England.

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A new round of federal stimulus money will help create and save arts jobs in Rhode Island. Click here to see more Rhode Island jobs.

The National Endowment for the Arts recently announced that $19.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants would be awarded to state arts agencies and regional arts organizations to help support the economy’s arts sector.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is expected to receive $291,500, which will be given to non-profit organizations with significant arts programs through the Arts Jobs: Solutions for the Ocean State program. Non-profit organizations with a significant arts program can apply for stimulus funding through May 1.

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Several Rhode Island summer jobs for disadvantaged youths will be created thanks to federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Gov. Donald L. Carcieri recently announced that the State of Rhode Island will use $4 million in federal funds to create 2,000 summer jobs. According to an article by The Providence Journal, the money will come from the $17.2 million the state is receiving from the federal government for workforce training and employment services.

“This is a big, big boost for us right now in a period when we can really use it,” Carcieri said in the article.

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