A continued focus on energy preservation will help create and maintain Rhode Island jobs.

Gov. Donald L. Carcieri recently announced that the Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment has created an Energy Review Team to help develop a statewide energy plan for the investment of funds available from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The team also will help develop a statewide, competitive grant process to distribute funds for energy programs.

Under the ARRA, Rhode Island will receive $58 million in funds dedicated to a number of energy initiatives, including $20 million for weatherization programs; $14.5 million for state and municipal programs and $24 million for other energy activities.

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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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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will result in funding for training for those with Rhode Island careers.

Gov. Donald L. Carcieri recently announced that $17.2 million in stimulus funding will go toward workforce training and employment grants.

The funding will include $7.9 million to help laid-off workers find employment or job training; $5.6 million to help youths prepare for and connect to the workforce; $2.1 million to help long-term unemployed citizens re-enter the workforce and $1.5 million to offer re-employment services and netWORKri one-stop career services for all residents of Rhode Island.

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One company’s plan to relocate will result in the loss of several Rhode Island manufacturing jobs.

American Power Conversion recently announced that it plans to move its manufacturing and distribution operations from West Warick, RI, to Middletown, Pa. That move will eliminate 75 Rhode Island jobs. While the company’s manufacturing plant will close by July, its corporate headquarters will stay in West Kingston, RI.

It is thought that 100 jobs in all will be impacted, including 75 positions eliminated and the remainder moved. Employees who are laid off will be offered a severance package, outplacement assistance and transition support. The company’s non-manufacturing employees will be transfered to the West Kingston facility, according to an article by The Providence Journal.

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Those with Rhode Island government jobs in the state’s health department have received special recognition.

The Wellness Council of America recently named the Rhode Island Department of Health as a Gold Well Workplace and one of America’s Healthiest Companies.

One of the factors that earned the DOH its reward was the department’s self-administered health risk appraisal, which is meant to help staff identify their risks, including on-site aerobics, body sculpting, yoga classes, healthy cooking demonstrations and a newsletter posted on its Intranet system.

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The recently-passed federal economic stimulus plan will help create Rhode Island construction jobs.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Rhode Island will receive $138 million in direct funding, which will support 50 transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the state. The projects are expected to create 1,500 direct jobs and 3,500 indirect jobs.

These projects will be completed in conjunction with the replacement of the Pawtucket River Bridge, which was scheduled to go to construction in 2009. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is expecting to receive authorization this week from the Federal Highway Administration for $25.9 million. That money will help fund 15 projects, which are scheduled to begin in April.

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Students interested in a future Rhode Island engineering job may want to take advantage of the fact that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is hiring interns.

RIDOT is currently looking for summer interns interested in engineering an transportation. Those selected for internships will have the opportunity to work alongside professionals in audit; computer information systems; construction; environmental protection; highway, traffic and bridge design; historic preservation; landscaping; legal services; materials; planning and public affairs.

“RIDOT’s internship program is one that can open many doors,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said in a press release. “A summer here can lead to a promising career in engineering, design, computer science or even public affairs.”

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