2930 2011 May | Finding Jobs in Rhode Island
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Archive for May, 2011

Rhode Island unemployment rate one of the worst in NE

Monday, May 30th, 2011

The Rhode Island unemployment rate continues to plague New England, according to recent BLS stats.

In March, four New England states posted jobless rates that were significantly different from that of the United States. New Hampshire (5.2 percent), Vermont (5.4 percent), and Maine (7.6 percent) recorded lower-than-average unemployment rates and were among 22 states in the country to do so. New Hampshire and Vermont reported the fourth and fifth-lowest jobless rates nationwide. In contrast, Rhode Island (11.0 percent) had the highest jobless rate among the New England states and the fourth-highest jobless rate in the nation. Rhode Island was among 10 states nationwide that had unemployment rates significantly higher than the national average. The District of Columbia and the 18 remaining states had unemployment rates not appreciably different from that for the nation. (more…)

Alexion Pharma hiring for biotechnology jobs in Rhode Island

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Alexion Pharmaceuticals has announced a big expansion in Providence and will be hiring for biotechnology jobs in Rhode Island.

The drug maker is creating office space and additional laboratories that will house research and other jobs in Smithfield.

Projo.com writes:

The company is creating the kinds of jobs the state is trying to attract as leaders seek ways to pull Rhode Island out of its economic doldrums. Alexion, which now employs about 125 in Smithfield, expects to increase its work force there by about 35 percent by the end of next year, said Irving Adler, senior director of corporate communications. 

Expected jobs will be in the manufacturing, science, and biotechnology fields.

Salary ranges weren’t pegged, but Adler said the jobs will come with high wages.

Alexion produces the drug Soliris, the only approved therapy for patients with a rare blood disorder known as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

According to Projo, Alexion bought the Smithfield facility in 2006, opened it in 2007 and won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for it to be the second facility where the company produces the drug.

Employees will come from Rhode Island and other outlying communities.

Along with the new biotech jobs, other companies are recruiting for manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island.

Yardney Technical Products creates manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Yardney Technical Products, maker of batteries, announced recently it will be creating a slew of manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island.

The Connecticut-based company makes batteries that have been used on the Mars rover, mini-subs, and torpedoes.

Yardney will be coming to Rhode Island and creating 165 jobs, a big boost to the state’s economy.

Since the recession, many states have seen manufacturing jobs decline. The news is great for local officials and workers.

According to GoLocalProv.com, the move comes as a big economic development win for Chafee at a time when he is facing stiff opposition from business groups over his proposed budget. GoLocalProv also reported last week that Chafee had failed to bring corporate giant GE Capital to Rhode Island.

Yardney has distinguished itself since 1944 in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced battery technologies for Aerospace, the Department of Defense, and industrial/commercial applications. In addition to the Lithion product line, Yardney also produces silver-zinc and metal-air cells and batteries.

Yardney will be moving to 2000 South County Trail in East Greenwich.

Survey: employers plan on hiring for administrative jobs in Rhode Island

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

A new survey points to positive news that employers plan on recruiting for more administrative jobs in Rhode Island.

Commercial and administrative industries will likely see hiring increases for the second quarter, according to a national hiring trends survey conducted by Express Employment Professionals, one of the nation’s largest privately-held staffing companies.

Express surveyed nearly 19,000 current and former clients across the company’s more than 550 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Survey results indicate that 39 percent of respondents plan to hire for commercial/light industrial positions and 29 percent of respondents anticipate hiring for administrative/office clerical positions.

Additionally, 13 percent plan to hire for engineering and accounting positions, while 12 percent plan to hire for information technology and marketing positions.

Express also surveyed 15,000 current and former clients regarding company morale. Top factors cited as contributing to low morale in the workplace include: increased workload, layoffs or job insecurity, employees not feeling valued, poor communication and lack of confidence in management.

Nearly half of participants noticed a drop in morale among their employees and 62 percent of company leaders attribute the drop to increased workloads.

According to the Labor Department, the U.S. economy generated the same output in the fourth quarter of 2010 with seven million fewer workers compared to three years ago.

“It’s a vicious circle,” said Robert A. Funk, CEO of Express Employment Professionals. “Coming out of the recession, employers are hesitant to hire full-time workers. As a result, existing staff members are working double-time in an attempt to keep up and losing motivation. During these critical rebuilding years, any downward shift in morale among employees should be addressed quickly.”

The survey showed that some employers are making an effort to actively raise company morale by recognizing accomplishments, setting challenging yet realistic goals and offering teambuilding activities. Experts at Express also help combat low morale and engagement issues in their client’s workplaces with surveys, employee performance management systems, targeted training and more.

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