RI unemployment rate unchanged at 12.7 percent in February, still outpaces national average

RI unemployment rate unchanged at 12.7 percent

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The unemployment rate in Rhode Island held steady at 12.7 percent in February, and the number of state residents with jobs increaed by 1,600 from the month before.

The state’s jobless rate was unchanged from January, but continues to well outpace the national percentage of 9.7.

The Department of Labor and Training says in statistics released Friday that 72,200 people were looking for work in February, or 100 less than the previous month.

Jobs in food services and accommodation grew in February. But the educational services sector lost 700 jobs during the month, due largely to less hiring of student workers at public colleges and universities,

Employment also dropped in the wholesale trade and information sectors.