The Governor’s Workforce Board has since January awarded approximately $65,000 in “express grants” to 15 Rhode Island companies to improve worker skills, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced Thursday. more

Rhode Island’s unemployment rate dropped to 0.1 percentage points to 9.8 percent in January, its lowest level since January 2009, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training reported Thursday. more

Sarah Sesselmann has been named account representative at Toray Plastics (America) Inc. She will serve the Torayfan Polypropylene Film Division, and will be responsible for the growth and management of packaging business among customers in the converting and consumer goods manufacturing sectors. more

Antonio (Tony) Faria has been appointed manager of information security at FM Global, where he is responsible for overseeing a team of security professionals and ensuring company data is protected. more

Harold Moore has been appointed vice president and manager of processing and systems at FM Global. more

Dr. more

Dr. more

Matthew Jesi has been named an intern architect at Durkee, Brown, Viveiros and Werenfels Architects. more

Rhode Island and Massachusetts both had fewer union members in 2012 than in 2011, according to a report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Wednesday. more

Jeanine Achin, executive director of the Newman YMCA in Seekonk, has also been named executive director of the East Side/Mt. more