Job Search News

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Rhode Island’s unemployment rate continued to surpass the national jobless percentage of 9.4 in May. During the month, the state’s unemployment rate climbed a full point from 11.1 percent to 12.1 percent. This means that the Rhode Island job market became significantly more competitive for those currently out of work.

Rhode Island’s limited economy and small size have caused it to be hit harder by the national recession than many other areas. Over the course of the last 12 months the state’s unemployment rate has climbed 4.7 percent from May 2008’s 7.4 percent. Despite this, Rhode Island’s situation was not the worst in the country. Michigan had a jobless rate of 14.1 percent and Oregon’s unemployment rate was 12.4 percent.

May marked the 15th consecutive month that non-farm Rhode Island jobs declined. During the month employers did away with a total of 1,100 jobs. This brought the state’s payrolls down to 463,500 positions, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT).

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Finding jobs in Rhode Island has become more difficult over the last year. During March approximately 10.5 percent of the state’s population was without work. This is particularly significant when one considers that a year ago only 6.8 percent of Rhode Islanders were unable to find jobs.

Although the state’s unemployment rate did not rise during the month of March, staying stable at 10.5 percent for the second month, this was the first time in over a year that the number of people without work in Rhode Island didn’t increase. Since there are currently so many people in the state without jobs, the state Governor’s Office of Economic Recovery and Reinvestment and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training recently announced the extension of unemployment benefits.

According to a recent press release, 2,600 individual who are currently without Rhode Island jobs who were previously determined ineligible for extended benefits will now be collecting unemployment. Through an option in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act the state has been able to offer this relieve to these residents.

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