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Idaho’s December unemployment rate decreases to 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 23, 2026
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or  Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased between November and December, from 3.7% to 3.6%.

December’s labor force increased by 1,628 (0.2%) people to 1,013,141 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – was unchanged between November and December, remaining at 62.9%.

Total employment increased by 1,755 (0.2%) to 976,258 and unemployment decreased by 127 (-0.3%) to 36,883. Continue reading →

Hiring event offers various positions including machinists and dispatchers in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, April 8, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at noon in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Addus HomeCare, Autovol, Boise State University, Idaho Power, Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, Treasure Valley YMCA and more.

Open positions available include 911 communications dispatchers, registered nurses, computer numerical control machinists, security control specialists, forklift operators, safety coordinators, home care aids, senior contracting specialists and many more.

Continue reading →

Census release shows most of Idaho’s counties grew in population in 2025

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 31, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Thirty-six of Idaho’s 44 counties grew in population in 2025, with 20 growing faster than in 2024, according to annual U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. This translates to 80% of Idaho’s counties growing in population — much higher than the nation’s share of 60%.

Five of Idaho’s urban counties — Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, Bonneville and Twin Falls — added at least 1,000 new residents in 2025. The three most populous counties of Ada, Canyon and Kootenai collectively accounted for more than 75% of the state’s annual population growth and over 22,000 new residents.

Annual population growth rates ranged from a low of -1% in Franklin and Fremont counties to a high of 2.9% in Canyon. Ada had the highest total increase of over 10,000 new residents while Blaine had the largest decline of 184.

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic activity, March 2026

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of March and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Regional news

  • Kootenai Health will take over management of the Hagadone Medical Clinic effective July 1, 2026. The clinic serves to provide primary patient care to Hagadone Corporation health plan members and their covered dependents. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Selkirk Sport received a $30 million investment from private equity firm Bluestone Equity Partners. Selkirk Sport produces pickleball paddles, shoes and accessories. Source: Spokane Journal of Business
  • Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers opened in Coeur d’Alene in mid-March and hired 135 employees ahead of opening day. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • Knight Construction and Supply was awarded a $20 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replace all 11 spillway gates at Albeni Falls Dam in Oldtown. The first replacement gate will arrive in 2027 and construction will be completed during the early 2030s. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • North Idaho Classical Academy in Bonners Ferry continues to make progress on construction of the new charter school. It will initially open to 240 students in grades K-7 in August 2026. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald

Continue reading →

Idaho women favor formal education pathways toward industries like health care, education

In 2024, women accounted for 46% of Idaho’s total occupational employment, making them less represented than men in the overall labor force. However, women were significantly more concentrated than men in the industries of health care, education, personal care services and office and administrative support. [1]

While men hold a higher share of jobs overall, women account for the majority of Idaho’s recent postsecondary education metrics, including both non-degree certificates and advanced degree completions. While data suggests women will continue to favor formal education at elevated levels, the growing diversity of alternative career pathways such as apprenticeships may reshape this pattern in the future. Continue reading →

Hiring event in Canyon County offers career opportunities, March 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 12, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Caldwell.

The event will take place at the department’s Caldwell office, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

Employers attending include Ada County Highway District, City of Caldwell Parks & Recreation, Durham School Services – West Ada, D&B Supply, Gem County, Idaho Division of Human Resources, Terzo Enterprises and more.

Positions available include accounting clerks, certified nursing assistants, general equipment operators, lifeguards, seasonal laborers, truck drivers, weatherization technicians and others. Continue reading →

Graduate earns fulfilling career upon graduating construction program

About four months ago, Grant Childers was operating heavy equipment at Land Lab Day while enrolled in the ICONIC program in Boise. He was just days away from graduating and earning his certification. Little did he know, he would meet his future employer that day.

Grant Childers stands proudly in his vest at Land Lab Day in November 2025.

Grant Childers stands proudly in his vest at Land Lab Day in November 2025.

“When I first arrived to the field day, the program director immediately introduced me to a few of the instructors at the program. I asked each of them about who they felt were their top candidates and Grant’s name was consistently at the top,” Manager of RivHab Engineering and EarthWorks Zack Billingsley said. “In fact, I specifically remember one of them saying that while there were quite a few candidates that he’d recommend, Grant was in a league of his own.”

Continue reading →

Secretary of State McGrane shares AmeriCorps experience to help kick off AmeriCorps Week

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Secretary of State Phil McGrane featured in overalls during his time in AmeriCorps.

Secretary of State Phil McGrane during his time in AmeriCorps (pictured on the right).

This year’s AmeriCorps Week takes place March 8-14 and celebrates the theme “AmeriCorps in Action: Americans serving America.”

Secretary of State Phil McGrane shared his experience to illustrate how volunteering with AmeriCorps can shape a career in public service.

McGrane served for Habitat for Humanity, an AmeriCorps program, from August 2002–2003 in Anniston, Alabama. During his year of service, he oversaw hundreds of volunteers as a part of a massive team effort to build 40 homes for those in need. Continue reading →

ICONIC program hosts Contractor Day in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 9, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Construction contractors are invited to meet prospective heavy equipment operators this spring in three Idaho communities as part of the ICONIC program.

When participants are close to obtaining their certification in heavy equipment operation from the Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program, local businesses are invited to meet participants and see their ability to use heavy machinery.

Continue reading →

Businesses are encouraged to apply for skills training funds

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 6, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor has been awarded an $8 million Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support training in advanced manufacturing, domestic mineral production and nuclear energy industries.

“Idaho’s continued economic growth depends on making sure our workforce has the skills employers need to succeed,” Governor Brad Little said. “This investment helps strengthen our partnerships with industry while creating more opportunities for Idahoans to train for good-paying, in-demand jobs that support our communities and our economy.”

Labor staff are accepting funding applications from employers in advanced manufacturing technologies across a variety of innovation-driven industries. Employers can get up to 80% reimbursement for approved training costs (up to $25,000 per employee) to expand their workforce or upskill current employees. Continue reading →

Learn how Idaho women excel in workforce pathways in an upcoming webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 5, 2026
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho women represented a higher share of certificate degree completions in 2023-2024, compared with the national average, according to The National Center for Economic Statistics.

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Lisa Grigg will explore the high rates of postsecondary education achieved by Idaho’s women along with looking at industries where women represent the majority of the workforce at a webinar, Tuesday, March 10.

“As program opportunities have expanded statewide, women’s postsecondary enrollments have diversified but continue to remain rooted within the focus areas of health care, education, family and consumer sciences and culinary, entertainment and personal services,” Grigg said.

Continue reading →