Rhode Island jobs are turning green.

Organizations across the country recently held more than 650 events as part of the National Day of Action, stressing the importance of creating green jobs, according to an article by the Providence Journal. Rhode Island held an event at the New England Institute of Technology focused on solar energy, educating young workers on green technology and policy initiatives.

“We want to educate people and get people thinking and talking to each other and start working together toward the greening of Rhode Island’s economy,” Greg Gerritt, founder of the Rhode Island Prosperity Project, said in the article. “People need workers. They need educated workers. We have to think about the big picture.” Read the rest of this entry »

More Rhode Island jobs are being lost, and the state is facing one of its highest unemployment rates ever.

During August, Rhode Island saw an unemployment rate of 8.5 percent, up from 7.8 percent in July and higher than the national unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. This is the state’s highest unemployment rate in 15 years, according to an article by the Associated Press. In August 2007, Rhode Island had an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.

The number of unemployed people looking for a job increased to 48,800 during August, up 4,300 since July. The state lost 1,200 jobs from July to August, the eighth month in a row the state has lost jobs. It is expected the current crisis on Wall Street will only hinder the state, which has been in a recession for about a year.

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A Rhode Island retail job may be the way to go for those looking for a promising career.

Rhode Island employment overall is expected to increase by more than 55,000 jobs through 2014, when the total number of jobs should reach 573,437, an increase of 10.7 percent, or 55,292 jobs, from the 518,145 workers employed in 2004.

The retail trade industry currently employs about 53,000 workers, or about 10 percent of the state’s workforce, according to an article by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. The Retail Trade industry is projected to grow by 10 percent, adding more than 5,200 jobs through 2014.
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Throughout the past seven months many Rhode Island jobs have been lost.

During July, the State of Rhode Island employed 480,600 workers, a 1,700, or 2.6 percent, job decrease from June’s employment of 482,300, according to an article by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. This is the seventh month in a row the state has lost jobs. Rhode Island’s unemployment rate rose to 7.7 percent, the state’s highest since September 1993.

The number of unemployed residents who were actively seeking employment increased to 44,300, up from 15,300 last year. The number of employed residents was at 528,900, down 600 from June and down 18,200 from last year.

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Rhode Island teaching jobs are expected to grow faster than the statewide average for all jobs.

In July 2008, Rhode Island’s education and health services industry employed 99,900 people, an increase of .4 percent from last year, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

An increase of 55,000 Rhode Island jobs is expected through 2014, reaching 573,437 jobs, up 10.7 percent from 518,145 in 2004. More than 10 percent of the new jobs created will be in the education industry, according to an article by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. The industry is projected to employ 51,000 workers by 2014, an increase of 5,200 jobs, or 11.3 percent.

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In today’s economy, older workers may have an easier time finding jobs in Rhode Island.

As the labor market tightens, a rising demand for workers could present new job opportunities for older workers, according to an article by the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

“Many employers recognize this human resource rich in experience, productivity, dedication and maturity,” the article notes.
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If you’re looking for an in-demand healthcare job in Rhode Island, you should consider a career as a nurse.

Rhode Island, along with many other parts of the nation, is currently in the midst of a nursing shortage, which is only expected to worsen as many workers retire and the healthcare industry continues to grow. Also adding to the problem is the inability of colleges and universities to increase nursing program enrollments as demand grows and faculty retire.

Nationwide, 4.7 million people are employed as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants, and about 85 percent of these employees work within the healthcare industry. The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates one-fourth of the 4 million expected healthcare job openings through 2016 will be in the nursing field.
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Rhode Island IT jobs will continue to grow for the next six years.

In June 2008, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, Rhode Island’s information industry employed 11,000 people, a 4.8 percent increase from last year.

Rhode Island employment as a whole is expected to increase by more than 55,000 jobs through 2014. Employment that year is projected to reach 573,437, an increase of 10.7 percent or 55,292 jobs from 2004.

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For the next six years, anyone looking for a Rhode Island healthcare job shouldn’t have too much trouble.

Healthcare has a long reputation of being one of Rhode Island’s fastest growing industries, mostly due to an aging population, medical advances and new technologies.

According to an article from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, overall employment in the state is expected to increase by more than 55,000 jobs through 2014, with employment that year reaching 573,437 people, an increase of 10.7 percent from the 2004 employment of 518,145 people.

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Many Rhode Island jobs and industries are expected to grow through 2014.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, employment in the state as a whole is expected to increase by 55,000 jobs through 2014. Overall employment in 2014 is expected to reach 573,437, an increase of 10.7 percent from 2004.

“Much of this growth is attributed to the increased demand for products and services provided by the healthcare and social assistance, accommodation and food service, retail trade, educational services and professional, scientific and technical services sectors,” the site states.

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