Rhode Island Jobs in Every Industry are Flat

Posted on September 21, 2010

According to recent statistics from the BLS, Rhode Island jobs in just about every industry aren’t publishing steady gains.

Looked at by industry, 11 of 13 sectors showed a positive net employment outlook for the fourth quarter, compared with 10 of 13 sectors in the third quarter. But for the fourth quarter, all but one industry showed a decline in sentiment from the third quarter. Manpower’s industry data is not seasonally adjusted.

The two industries with a negative net employment outlook for the fourth quarter were construction, at negative 8%, and government, at negative 7%. The Manpower survey does not count Census hiring; the decline in government hiring is due instead to severe budget shortfalls, Prising said. “The government, state and federal, is still struggling with budget restrictions and deficits,” he said, “especially the states.”

For each industry sector, here are the figures for the net employment outlook for the fourth quarter, not seasonally adjusted, in order of most positive outlook first:

• Mining, 13% in the fourth quarter, down from 17% in the third quarter
• Wholesale and retail trade, 13%, down from 15%
• Professional and business services, 10%, down from 15%
• Leisure and hospitality, 9%, down from 20%
• Information, 7%, down from 10%
• Manufacturing, durable goods, 7%, down from 9%
• Manufacturing, nondurable goods, 6%, down from 12%
• Financial activities, 4%, down from 11%
• Education and health services, 4%, up from -2%
• Other services, 3%, down from 8%
• Transportation and utilities, 2%, down from 9%