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Idaho’s October unemployment rate up slightly to 2.9%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 18, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up from 2.8% in September to 2.9% in October – the ninth consecutive month the state rate has been below 3%.

October’s labor force saw gains in both employed and unemployed workers. The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 1,714 people (0.2%) to 961,441. Total employment increased by only 455 to 933,268. The total number of unemployed increased by 1,259 (4.7%) to 28,173.

Labor force participation decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 62.6%.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 1,200 to 827,900 in October. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include accommodation and food services (4.8%); natural resources (2.3%); management of companies & enterprises (1.2%); real estate rental and leasing (1.0%); administration, support and waste management services (0.6%); and arts, entertainment and recreation (0.6%).

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Dec. 6 webinar focuses on the generations in the workforce

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 30, 2022
Media Contact: Lindsay.Trombly@labor.idaho.gov

Dec. 6 webinar focuses on the generations in the workforceWe are hiring sign in window

Idaho businesses are invited to a free webinar Tuesday, Dec. 6 to learn more about America’s current labor market.

Sam Wolkenhauer, Idaho Department of Labor economist for northern Idaho, will present the topic. Participants will learn why help wanted signs in windows are so prevalent in America and what role demographics are playing in the future of work.

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Navigators guide Idahoans through filing for unemployment insurance claims

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 25, 2022
Media Contact: Pam.Rogers@labor.idaho.gov

Unemployment insurance navigators are now available at Idaho Department of labor locations across the state to guide people through filing a claim for benefits.

Unemployment insurance is an eligibility program that replaces part of a worker’s lost income when they become unemployed through no fault of their own. Eligible claimants are paid these benefits through tax accounts to which their former employers have contributed.

As Labor employees, the navigators are assigned to help people identify and avoid mistakes that result in a delayed benefit payment, an overpayment that needs to be paid back, or fraud.

Unemployment insurance navigators can answer questions about the claims process, from first filing to continued claims. They are available in seven local labor offices, from Post Falls to Idaho Falls, and in mobile locations like Mountain Home, Kuna, Meridian, Payette, Emmett, Blackfoot, Preston, Malad City and more.

Find or call your nearest location at labor.idaho.gov/officedirectory.

Part of a $2.28 million Unemployment Insurance Equity grant through the U.S. Department of Labor is funding the program. The grant’s purpose is to make unemployment insurance more accessible to underserved populations in Idaho.

For more information about unemployment insurance and other job seeker services, go to labor.idaho.gov.

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Idaho Department of Labor’s Navigators program is funded in part by a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Administration Grant totaling $2,283,000.

Idaho apprentices enrolled in registered training see 52.7% gain in 2022

Photo of dental assistant with womanNon-traditional apprenticeships can increase talent employee pool

More Idaho workers have enrolled in apprenticeships this year than ever before, broadening the potential for state workforce gains in a tight labor market.

A total of 1,179 new apprentices enrolled in an apprenticeship in 2022, with 81 new apprenticeship programs registered throughout Idaho. Enrollments are up 52.7% from 772 in 2021, and the number of completed apprenticeships has more than doubled. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity, November 2022

Information provided in these news updates is from professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North Central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South Central Idaho
Southeastern
Eastern Idaho

 

NORTHERN IDAHO – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai & Shoshone counties

Bonner County

  • BNSF Railways opened its Sandpoint Junction Connector bridge nearly a year ahead of schedule and began running traffic across the bridge. The new bridge adds a second line across Lake Pend Oreille, addressing a critical transit bottleneck where multiple lines converge before crossing the lake. Source: CDA Press

Kootenai County

  • A new preschool is under construction in Coeur d’Alene. Phase one construction of the Kinder Prep Learning Center is underway with a spring opening planned. The preschool will care for children ages 18 months to 5 years old. Kootenai County currently has substantial shortages of childcare availability. Source: CDA Press
  • A 20,000-square-foot professional building is under construction in Coeur d’Alene. The Prairie Professional building will offer suite sizes ranging from 2,200 to 10,000 square feet. The project is slated for completion in December 2023. Source: CDA Press
  • The city of Coeur d’Alene is exploring grant options to help pay for new mooring docks at the city’s popular Third Street docks. The current docks were installed in 2000 and have cost the city nearly $100,000 in repairs due to rotting timbers. The city Parks and Recreation Department is exploring a $500,000 project to replace the current timber docks with composite materials. Source: CDA Press

Openings

  • UPS Office Center (Hayden)
  • Rivaura CDA Tasting Room (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Uncorked with Friends (Hayden)
  • HomeTown Family Chiropractic (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Northwest Crafters (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Cochinito Taqueria (Hayden)
  • Burger Dock (Coeur d’Alene)

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

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Winter’s arrival and why employment is seasonally adjusted

Most of Idaho experiences below freezing temperatures and is often covered under a blanket of snow between November and February. When the weather turns colder, employment levels decline in industries such as construction, mining/logging and leisure/hospitality. The holiday season and winter breaks result in fluctuations in educational services and retail. Despite the Farmer’s Almanac predicting Idaho’s 2022-2023 winter season to be dry and calm, it will still see patterns in our overall employment levels where the direction and magnitude can often be forecasted. This reduction in employment does not represent a permanent trend for analyzing the labor force but reverses in a predictable manner throughout the calendar year. Data that is seasonally adjusted helps reduce the noise of recurring seasonal fluctuation and show the true underlying employment trends present in Idaho’s labor force. Continue reading →

Labor e-response system helps employers respond to unemployment insurance claims

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Tyler.Smith@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers with fewer than 500 employees can save money and respond quickly, easily and accurately to unemployment insurance claims filed against their account by using an online e-response system available through the Idaho Department of Labor.

Businesses that register with the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) will be assigned a personal identification number (PIN). Once they are signed up, they will automatically receive an email when employees stop working for them and file for unemployment benefits.

Each email includes a website address. Employers use their PIN to access and respond to a request. When finished, SIDES sends a confirmation number and a PDF for employer records.

In order to use this service, employers must respond to benefit claims requests in seven days. If there is a disagreement and employers don’t respond in this timeframe, they may be charged for benefits paid until the claim is appealed.

SIDES Benefits for Employers:

  • It’s free.
  • Prevent mistakes with a response format used nationwide.
  • Confirm data and check for completeness.
  • Get requests and respond faster.
  • Receive confirmation notices.
  • Reduce follow-up phone calls, mail and email.
  • Reduce postage costs and paper use.
  • Avoid mail delivery delays.
  • Improve fraud detection and reduce improper payments.
  • Reduce the number of appeal hearings.

Sign up for SIDES E-Response at www.labor.idaho.gov/SIDES.

For more information, visit www.labor.idaho.gov/eservices. Contact us at sides@labor.idaho.gov or (208) 947-1055.

Idaho’s First Lady reads new children’s book to kick off Apprenticeship Week

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 17, 2022
Media Contact: Gina.Robison@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho First Lady Terea Little holding Booper Dreams Big children's book

Teresa Little at reading event

“Booper Dreams Big: An Almost True Story of Apprenticeship,” is a new Idaho children’s book released today as part of National Apprenticeship Week in Idaho (Nov. 14-20).

Idaho’s First Lady Teresa Little read the new children’s book to a class of third graders at Owyhee Elementary in Nampa as an early kick-off of National Apprenticeship Week. Continue reading →

Larry Gebert posthumously recognized for volunteer efforts

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 16, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Photo of Larry Gebert holding sign.

Larry Gebert

Former KTVB anchor Larry Gebert was posthumously awarded the 2022 Governor Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award during the Idaho Philanthropy Day ceremony. Gebert was recognized for his commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy and support of nonprofits during his 30-year career. His wife, Julie Gebert, was presented with the award in his memory.

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Apprenticeship collaboration connects Idaho health clinics with talent

Mariah Aripa holds her dental assisting apprenticeship completion certificate.

Mariah Aripa holds her dental assisting apprenticeship completion certificate. Photo courtesy of ICHCA.

Idaho’s labor market has been tight since the pandemic, particularly for specialized industries like health care.

Health clinics already face a heavy administrative burden and managing and paying for training is a big obstacle that gets in the way of staffing and talent recruitment. The Idaho Community Health Centers Association is trying to solve this problem through apprenticeship training and funding coordination. Continue reading →