Monthly Archives: October 2019

Hiring Challenges Point to a Need for more STEM Workers in Idaho

As Idaho’s employment projections indicate an increased demand for STEM jobs in the next decade, the state’s employers will face even more challenges when filling those positions in the near future if supply does not increase to match the growing need.

With record low unemployment rates in Idaho and the nation as a whole, help wanted ads have languished unfilled for longer stretches of time. Close to 70 percent of the job postings in a given month were unfilled/reposted from the previous month, and more than 50 percent of them have remained unfilled for more than 90 days.

Employers looking for STEM applicants are facing even tougher times given the relatively smaller pool of STEM workers available and the higher educational and training requirements for these jobs. Openings of lengthy duration can be interpreted – with some caution – as a shortage. In that case, targeted occupational and regional STEM training and education would have enormous benefits in addressing a growing need. Continue reading →

Idaho Human Rights Commission Launches Language Access Plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2019
Information Contact: Benjamin Earwicker, (208) 344-2873 ext. 4055

The Idaho Human Rights Commission has launched a new Language Access Plan to ensure speakers of all languages, especially individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), have access to the commission’s processes and services.

Assistance for limited English proficient customers include:

  • Bilingual staff: Five commission employees are fluent in Spanish and English and available to assist individuals over the phone or in person during normal business hours.
  • Over the phone interpreting: The commission provides customer access to live professional interpreters over the phone for more than 200 languages.
  • Written translation: Individuals can request help with interpretation or translating essential documents, which include written materials critical for accessing commission programs and services.
  • Materials/brochures: Informational brochures are currently available in English and Spanish.

Continue reading →

Idaho Department of Labor Releases Service Plan for Meridian and McCall Areas

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

The Idaho Department of Labor has implemented its new service model in the Meridian and McCall areas, providing direct mobile services to eight communities.

Labor staff will offer walk-in hours and appointment times in these communities with the same services staff have traditionally provided. Those include resume writing, applying for jobs, filing for unemployment insurance benefits, mock interviews, connections to community resources, job training assistance and more. Staff will also continue to serve businesses with listing open jobs, collecting applications, connecting to resources and assisting with recruitment.

Jani Revier, Labor director, said many citizens who have not traditionally had easy access to in-person Labor services should be better served by this model.

Continue reading →

Idaho Job Corps Program to Begin Offering Services for Students

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 22, 2019
Information Contact: Tina Polishchuk, (208) 442-4520

The Idaho Job Corps program will begin offering services for its first group of students today, Oct. 22, at the Centennial Job Corps facility, located in Nampa.

The program is funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, awarded to the Idaho Department of Labor, to serve income-eligible youth age 16-24 by connecting them to training and workplace opportunities.

“This demonstration project between the Department of Labor and the state of Idaho is intended to meet the specific workforce needs of the state and take Job Corps into the future,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “Welcoming students to their program marks an important moment in this new endeavor, and the Department of Labor is rooting for the success of each and every student who arrives to take control of his or her future.”

Students could be enrolled in the program 3-24 months, depending on their career trajectory, and the goal of the program is to place every student into a sustainable job by the time they graduate from the program.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s September Unemployment Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 18, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215

Nonfarm Job Growth Second Highest in the Nation

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in September for the third consecutive month.

An additional 2,906 people made themselves available for work in September, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 882,214. The number of unemployed increased by 136 to 25,626. Total employment grew by 2,770 to 856,588.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – has been slowly increasing since June 2019 and reached 64.1 percent in September.

Continue reading →

Federal Training Funds Available for Former Connexions Loyalty Workers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 8, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

Connexions Loyalty employees who lost their jobs when the Boise facility closed earlier this year can now apply for benefits and job search services through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.

Approximately 175 Connexions Loyalty employees as well as on-site leased workers from Aerotek lost their jobs with the closure of Connexions Loyalty in Boise. Workers were notified in September 2018 that the company would be closing the location no later than February 2019. This triggered the filing of a Trade Act petition with the U.S. Department of Labor, which investigated the matter and determined the workers were eligible for assistance under the Act.

Affected workers should contact their local Idaho Department of Labor office for more information.

The Trade Act is a federally funded program that aids U.S. workers who have lost, or may lose, their jobs due to foreign trade. The program seeks to provide reemployment assistance through a variety of activities including out-of-area job search, relocation assistance, multiple training options and other resources.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity in Month Year

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

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

NORTH CENTRAL IDAHO – Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties

Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 799-5000, ext. 3849

SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO – Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley & Washington counties

Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 735-2500 ext. 3639

SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO – Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka & Twin Falls counties

Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 735-2500 ext. 3062

SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO – Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida & Power counties

Matthew.Paskash@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 236-6710 ext. 4249

EASTERN IDAHO – Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison & Teton counties

Ryan.Whitesides@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
Idaho Department of Labor
(208) 557-2500 ext. 3628

This Idaho Department of Labor project is 100% funded by USDOL as part of $695,785 in Workforce Information Grant funds from the Employment and Training Administration.

Idaho Department of Labor Releases Magic Valley Area Service Plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 7, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

The Idaho Department of Labor has implemented its new service model in the Magic Valley area, providing direct mobile services to five communities.

Labor staff will offer walk-in hours and appointment times in all five communities with the same services staff have traditionally provided. Those include resume writing, applying for jobs, filing for unemployment insurance benefits, mock interviews, connections to community resources, job training assistance and more. Staff will also continue to serve businesses with listing open jobs, collecting applications, connecting to resources and assisting with recruitment.

Jani Revier, Labor director, said many rural citizens who have not traditionally had easy access to in-person Labor services should be better served by this model.

“Our new model is a positive development for scores of rural Idahoans who have faced burdensome travel requirements to meet with Idaho Department of Labor personnel in person,” Revier said. “We are now offering face-to-face services in more cities and towns than ever before thanks to the generosity of community organizations kindly offering space, and we will continue to provide service opportunities to all corners of the state.”

Continue reading →

More than 500 Job Openings Available at Post Falls Hiring Event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 3, 2019
Information Contact: Stacey Hanlon, (208) 457-8789 ext. 3947

Sixty employers from northern Idaho and Spokane are set to attend the fall hiring event on Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Post Falls, hosted by the Idaho Department of Labor.

Employers will be recruiting for more than 500 immediate openings with full-time, part-time and seasonal work available across multiple industries.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N Cecil Road in Post Falls.

Continue reading →

Idaho Department of Labor Releases Bonners Ferry Area Service Plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 2, 2019
Information Contact: Darlene Carnopis, (208) 332-3570 ext. 3439

The Idaho Department of Labor has implemented its new service model in the Bonners Ferry area, providing direct mobile services to Bonners Ferry, Moyie Springs and Naples.

Labor staff will offer walk-in hours and appointment times in all three communities with the same services staff have traditionally provided. Those include resume writing, applying for jobs, filing for unemployment insurance benefits, mock interviews, connections to community resources, job training assistance and more. Staff will also continue to serve businesses with listing open jobs, collecting applications, connecting to resources and assisting with recruitment.

Jani Revier, Labor director, said many rural citizens who have not traditionally had easy access to in-person Labor services should be better served by this model.

Continue reading →