Monthly Archives: October 2018

Idaho’s Projected Robust Job Growth May Challenge Labor Supply

Idaho’s economy has been one of the most dynamic among all the states in recent years. Over the past five years, Idaho has consistently been at the top of the charts in terms of job creation, and only Utah has created jobs as quickly. Recently, the Idaho Department of Labor completed a new round of labor market projections which anticipate that Idaho’s strong rate of job creation will continue into the foreseeable future.

This new analysis forecasts that Idaho’s total employment will reach 840,000 by 2026, up from a 2016 total of about 735,000. This amounts to approximately 105,000 new jobs created in 10 years, which represents a 14.4 percent increase. This indicates that Idaho is expected to substantially outpace the rest of the nation in job creation. Equivalent projections from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected total U.S. employment to grow by only 7.7 period in the same time period (1). Continue reading →

Pre-apprenticeship Program Offers Opportunity for Refugees, Fills Workforce Gap for Saint Alphonsus

After a year of planning, a new program at Saint Alphonsus that prepares individuals for an environmental services technician (EVS) apprenticeship kicked off in September.

The free EVS Pre-apprenticeship Program at Saint Alphonsus in Boise and Nampa started as a conversation in August 2017 involving Saint Alphonsus, the Idaho Hospital Association and the Idaho Department of Labor.

The hospital was having difficulty filling EVS technician positions. These techs provide a vital function, ensuring hospitals are safe, clean and infection-free. Among other duties, they are trained to safely collect, store and dispose of hazardous materials.

Labor workforce consultant Ofelia Morales and representatives of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Workforce Development and the Boise office of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), met with Saint Alphonsus’ EVS program staff to discuss the issue.

“Each of the partners has pieces to share,” Morales said. The Department of Labor helps with the cost of the apprenticeship for qualifying individuals through the federal Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act program. “IRC has case managers, CWI offers the class and Saint Alphonsus offers the jobs,” Morales said. The first pre-apprenticeship class has been funded and managed through the ESL Pathways Program at CWI.

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Idaho’s September Unemployment Rate Decreases to 2.7 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 19, 2018
Information Contact: Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215 or Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined slightly to 2.7 percent in September, continuing at or below 3 percent for the 13th consecutive month.

The state’s labor force – the total number of people 16 years of age and older working or looking for work – was 853,076 people, essentially unchanged since July.

Total employment increased by 885 to 829,793 while the number of unemployed people decreased by 729 to 23,283.

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Application Deadline Extended for Idaho’s Brightest Star Nominations

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 16, 2018
Information Contact: Renee Bade, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

The deadline to submit nominations for the annual Idaho’s Brightest Star Awards has been extended until Oct. 26, 2018. The annual award program, presented by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, recognizes outstanding Idaho volunteers in a variety of categories.

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Department of Labor to Participate in Manufacturing Expo & Job Fair Oct. 17

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 12, 2018
Information Contact: Jose DeLeon, Idaho Department of Labor, (208) 364-7781 ext. 3620

Job seekers are encouraged to attend an event at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa Oct. 17, from 3 – 6 p.m., as part of the MADE HERE! EXPO & JOB FAIR in support of National Manufacturing Day and Idaho Manufacturing Month.

At least half of the 75 plus exhibitors representing manufacturing and related industries will be recruiting workers during the event. The expo, organized by Southwest Idaho Manufacturers’ Alliance, also targets parents, teachers and students with interactive displays, information about the modern manufacturing environment and the numerous career opportunities available in the industry.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in September 2018

Information provided in this article 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

Boundary County

  • Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters opened in Bonners Ferry. The company specifically sources its coffee beans from impoverished regions of southeastern Asia, where the coffee can become a cash crop for impoverished farmers. Source: Bonners Ferry Herald

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Governor Appoints Hibbert to Serve Idaho Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 5, 2018
Information Contact:Renee Bade, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4061

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter appointed Farhana Hibbert, regional director for Senator Mike Crapo, to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

“Ms. Hibbert brings a wealth of knowledge about the Pocatello community and great enthusiasm for the role of volunteers,” said Renee Bade, program manager for Serve Idaho.

In her positions as regional director, Hibbert coordinates and manages official Senate office activities in a seven-county region. She previously owned IDAHO Unido, Idaho’s bilingual English/Spanish newspaper. Hibbert is actively engaged in the community volunteering with the Pocatello/Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, the Southeast Idaho Veterans Advisory Council, the Southeast Idaho Republican Women, as well as a host of other organizations. Continue reading →

Ada County Weekly Wages Increase 5.1 Percent From 1st Quarter 2017 to 1st Quarter 2018

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 3, 2018
Information Contact: Robert Kabel (208) 332-3570 ext. 3886

Ada County’s weekly average wage increased 5.1 percent from the first quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018 according to county employment and wage information released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Ada County’s percentage increase to a weekly average wage of $943 ranked it 34th among the 349 largest U.S. counties. Nationally, the average weekly wage increased 3.7 percent to $1,152 in the first quarter of 2018. The BLS also reported Ada County’s employment increased by 4.5 percent from March 2017 to March 2018. Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for Idaho’s other 43 counties. Details: https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/news-release/countyemploymentandwages_idaho.htm

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Entry Level Residential Carpentry Apprenticeships Available

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 2, 2018
Information Contact:  Darren Rux (208) 332-3575, ext. 3074

If you or someone you know is interested in a residential construction career, the Idaho Department of Labor has several carpentry apprenticeship opportunities available in the Treasure Valley.

These entry-level positions are full time with wages ranging from $11.68 to $14.09 an hour.

Apprentices will learn how to use the tools of the trade, work site safety, building, rough framing, outside finishing, inside framing and an array of other construction related skills.

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Post Falls Hiring Event to Feature More than 1,500 Jobs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 1, 2018
Information Contact:  Stacey Hanlon (208) 457-8789 ext. 3947

One of northern Idaho’s largest hiring events is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N. Cecil Road in Post Falls.

More than 55 employers with at least 1,500 jobs combined are attending the event, which is expected to draw several hundred job seekers. Some jobs are available for immediate hire.

Continue reading →