Monthly Archives: May 2021

Labor Direct Job Referral Program Begins June 1

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2021
Media Contact: Georgia Smith, georgia.smith@labor.idaho.gov

A new Department of Labor referral program will result in more customized matches between job seekers and Idaho employers.

Starting June 1, department workforce consultants will refer qualified unemployment insurance claimants to job openings posted on IdahoWorks, the state’s job search engine, during one-on-one meetings.

Claimants will be referred to the job openings based on their skills and experience – and they must apply to fill the vacancy within two business days to remain eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

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Idaho Job Corps Celebrates First Graduating Class

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2021
Media Contact: Tina Polishchuk, tina.polishchuk@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Job Corps will celebrate its first graduates of 2020 and 2021, Monday, May 24, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., on the grounds of the Centennial Job Corps center, 3201 Ridgeview Drive in Nampa.

Monday’s graduation ceremonies will honor 22 students who accomplished their personal career goals by completing high school, earning their GED or receiving a skills certificate for an in-demand occupation like welding or phlebotomy.

Locally, the Idaho Department of Labor partners with the College of Western Idaho to deliver education, training and a whole host of wrap-around services to low-income students with barriers to employment.

Jayson, Jeremy and Braden (holding certificates) are part of a second class of students to become certified welders.

The Idaho Job Corps program is also available at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene, the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls and the College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls.

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Idaho’s April Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.1%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2021
Media Contacts: Craig Shaul, craig.shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen Jarboe Singletary, karen.jarboesingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.1% in April, dropping slightly from 3.2% in March.

The state’s seasonally adjusted labor force increased by 969 to 900,324, marking the first increase for Idaho’s labor force this year.

The total number of working Idahoans grew by 1,603 to 872,168, while the number of unemployed dropped slightly from 28,815 in March to 28,156.

Idaho’s April labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years and older with jobs or looking for work – was 62.7%, down slightly from 62.8%.

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Idaho’s Volunteers of the Year Recognized In Person on May 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 17, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Three Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award recipients will be recognized in person during a small ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 19 in the Cecil D. Andrus Park in Boise.

Representatives of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and Serve Idaho, first presented the awards virtually to the three volunteers – Alina Rahim, Bill “Action” Jackson and Mary Robinette – in November.

This time, Gov. Brad Little and Tracy Andrus, daughter of the late Gov. Cecil D. Andrus, will recognize each of the winners in person:

  • At age 13, Alina Rahim of created an organization in Pocatello called Youth Activism Society (YAS) whose mission is to empower local youth to advocate for marginalized communities and volunteer with local initiatives.
  • Bill Jackson of Boise created the Idaho Youth Education Recycling Partnership, which recycles scrap metal from around the state.
  • Mary Robinette of Hayden has been a volunteer with Family Promise of North Idaho for eight years, which serves homeless families with children in the region.
  • Photos and honoree details can be found on the Idaho Labor blog at idahoatwork.com. Search for “Idaho Volunteers Recognized.”

The annual Idaho Philanthropy Day awards recognizes outstanding volunteers and philanthropists from throughout Idaho. In 2020, Serve Idaho combined efforts with the Idaho Nonprofit Center, replacing the previous Idaho’s Brightest Stars event. This is the third year that the Governor Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award was presented. Nominations for the 2021 Idaho Philanthropy Day awards are now open at idahononprofits.org/idaho-philanthropy-day.html. 

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Serve Idaho, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, encourages voluntary public service and volunteerism throughout the state. The Serve Idaho Commission is funded in part by AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.

Around Idaho: Economic Activity in April 2021

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

Kootenai County

  • Work is now underway on a major Idaho Department of Transportation improvement project on State Route 41 between Post Falls and Rathdrum. The work includes widening the highway with additional lanes in both directions as well as new traffic lights and improved railroad crossings. The $131 million project is scheduled for completion in 2022. Source: Journal of Business
  • Coeur d’Alene Schools suspended its mask requirement for staff and students and replaced it with a mask recommendation. Mandatory masks for students have been a continued source of consternation for Coeur d’Alene parents. Source: CDA Press

Openings:

Coeur d’Alene

  • Chalice Brewing
  • Life is Good
  • ReMax Centennial
  • Lake City Vape
  • One Lakeside Hotel
  • Wallaroo’s
  • Affordable Bridal and Tuxedo
  • Prock’s Paint Bucket
  • Coeur d’Alene Wigs

Post Falls

  • The Coffee Market
  • Flippens Secured Self Storage
  • Washboard Laundromat

Spirit Lake

  • Retrofit Athletics

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

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100+ Idaho employers will be hiring in Caldwell on May 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2021
Media Contact: Bob Vetter, (208) 332-3570 x 3913

Southwest District Health Department to offer free Covid-19 vaccine shots

The number of Idaho employers looking for employees at an outdoor hiring event in Caldwell this week has grown from 70 businesses to more than 100 with 3,000 jobs to fill.

The four-hour event starts at 10 a.m. and will run until 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 19 at the GALS Quad softball fields, 4700 Skyway St., in Caldwell.

Large employers including Ada County, St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, Amazon and Capitol Distributing are looking for electrical engineers, certified medical assistants, maintenance technicians, superintendents, security staff, warehouse associates, forklift drivers, custodians, customer service reps, landscaping staff and more.

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Serve Idaho Seeks Public Input on Strategic Plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is seeking input for its three-year strategic plan via an online survey through June 1. The plan outlines priorities for volunteerism and national service in Idaho over the next three years. The input received will also help shape AmeriCorps funding decisions in Idaho. To provide input go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022-2024StateServicePlan. 

More information on Serve Idaho can be found at serveidaho.gov.

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Serve Idaho, a division of the Idaho Department of Labor, encourages voluntary public service and volunteerism throughout the state. The Serve Idaho Commission is funded in part by AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.

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100+ Idaho employers will be hiring in Caldwell on May 19

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2021
Media Contact: Bob Vetter, 208-332-3571 x 3913

Southwest District Health Department to offer free Covid-19 vaccine shots

The number of Idaho employers looking for employees at an outdoor hiring event in Caldwell this week has grown from 70 businesses to more than 100 with 3,000 jobs to fill.

The four-hour event starts at 10 a.m. and will run until 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 19 at the GALS Quad softball fields, 4700 Skyway St., in Caldwell.

Large employers including Ada County, St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, Amazon and Capitol Distributing are looking for electrical engineers, certified medical assistants, maintenance technicians, superintendents, security staff, warehouse associates, forklift drivers, custodians, customer service reps, landscaping staff and more. Continue reading →

FAQs – Idaho to End Federal CARES Act Unemployment in June 2021

Question: Is Idaho discontinuing federal CARES Act unemployment insurance programs?

Answer: Yes, Idaho will end its participation in federal pandemic unemployment compensation programs week ending June 19, 2021.

Q: What programs are ending?

A: The following programs will end June 19, 2021.

Q: Should I continue to submit my weekly certifications in case the decision to discontinue PUA gets overturned?

A: No. It is not necessary to continue submitting weekly certifications.

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Serve Idaho Receives Grant to Assist Rural Nonprofits

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho rural nonprofits and local / state government agencies may get a hand up with the help of a three-year grant awarded to Serve Idaho from the federal AmeriCorps.

Serve Idaho logoAmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members will be placed in rural nonprofits and local / state government agencies across Idaho for one year. These full-time VISTA members will help rural Idaho communities build capacity, explore challenges facing Idaho’s rural nonprofits and support community efforts to overcome poverty. In return for their year of service members receive a living stipend, an education award, health benefits and potential advantages for future federal jobs.

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