Data has become increasingly important for recognizing shifts in demographic characteristics of the local labor force, growing industry sectors and occupations that can be used to support and guide well-informed workforce investment policies and decisions. Labor market information helps jobseekers, employers, and policymakers understand and identify trends in jobs, industries, wages and unemployment, as well as changes in the economy pertaining to the current workforce.

To create a sustainable labor force, Rhode Island is investing in workforce training to help individuals with limited education gain the skills that are necessary to succeed in today’s economy. From 2014-2018, more than 12,000 individuals completed workforce training, and of those, 29% only had a high school diploma or equivalent at the time of enrollment.

Rhode Island continues to invest in strategies that meet employer demand and create pipelines for future demand by aligning skilled jobseekers with employers in Rhode Island’s top industries. In 2018, the highest percentage of workforce training completers were placed in jobs in 3 of the 4 largest industries in Rhode Island: Manufacturing, Accomodation and Food Services, and Healthcare and Social Assistance.

Governor Raimondo’s marquee, demand-driven workforce program, Real Jobs Rhode Island, aims to place individuals in positions that lead to high-quality, long-term careers in industries that are projected to grow. As of December 2018, retention rates of individuals that completed the Real Jobs RI program were 5% higher than the general population, and 15.9% higher than traditional WIOA workforce training programs.