The Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training’s Labor Market Information Unit has released its Job Vacancy Survey (JVS) results from May-June 2005.  Survey results indicate that an estimated 12,114 job vacancies existed throughout Rhode Island’s private sector during the survey period. This translates to a job vacancy rate of 3.0 percent or three job openings for every one hundred jobs filled.  Most vacancies were permanent positions, with just 14 percent of estimated job openings listed as temporary or seasonal in nature.  Sixty percent of the estimated openings were for full-time jobs.  

The strongest demand for workers was measured in Health Care & Social Assistance - its 4.7% vacancy rate and 3,334 vacancies topped all industry sectors, accounting for nearly 28% of all estimated job openings in the Ocean State.  The Accommodation & Food Services (4.2%) and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation (3.6%) sectors also reported above-average job vacancy rates due in part to Rhode Island’s many hotels, restaurants, and recreational establishments increasing staff levels to meet summer demand.   

Job vacancies in over 300 occupations were reported throughout the state.  Of the occupations with the most estimated vacancies during the survey period, several were primarily concentrated in Health Care & Social Assistance industries, including Registered Nurses (962), Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants (630), and Personal & Home Care Aides (539). Other occupations with a significant number of vacancies such as Waiters & Waitresses (374), Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners (339), and Restaurant Cooks (275) were tied to seasonal demands in the Accommodation & Food Services sector.  

Job vacancy surveys provide a “snapshot” of private sector labor market demand, generating accurate, objective, and timely information on the quantity and quality of job openings through point-in-time measurements. If you have any questions regarding the Rhode Island Job Vacancy Survey, or would like hard copies of these publications, please contact LMI at (401) 462-8740 or lmi@dlt.ri.gov.