NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 28, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov
Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism has received a $1,409,832 grant from the federal AmeriCorps to fund Idaho AmeriCorps programs in 2021-2022. The grants will support the service of 209 AmeriCorps members statewide. AmeriCorps members give a year of intensive service, on a full-time or part-time basis.
Grants have been awarded to: Continue reading
Editor’s note: Regional economist Kathryn Tacke passed away unexpectedly on July 2. This is the last article she submitted for publication. Her previous articles can be found at Labor’s Idaho@Work blog.
What a difference a year makes. In April 2020, the pandemic and its effects pushed Idaho’s unemployment rate to an all-time high of 11.6%. This April, media across Idaho reported on labor shortages and how some businesses are struggling to stay open because they can’t find enough workers. The labor shortages are widespread — not only showing up in the state’s fast-growing urban areas, but also in rural communities. The businesses finding it hardest to recruit workers are construction firms, home care agencies, employers of certified nurse aides, restaurants, motels, trucking and package delivery companies and some manufacturers. School districts throughout the state are finding it difficult to hire substitute teachers and paraprofessionals.
Why has the job market become so tight? Before the pandemic, labor shortages were common. Now, thousands of Idaho employers are trying to make their normal seasonal hires and add new jobs as the state continues its recovery and growth in manufacturing and construction industries accelerates. This article explains the complex reasons for all the “help wanted” signs in Idaho and why employers are getting little or no response to want ads.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 21, 2021
Media Contact: Kandi Rudd, kandi.rudd@labor.idaho.gov
The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a multi-employer hiring event Tuesday, July 27, at the Idaho Labor Pocatello office, 430 N. 5th Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More than 30 employers will be looking for candidates to fill a wide range of positions such as welders, construction workers, heavy equipment operators, home health care and food service workers, paraprofessionals, administrative staff and truck drivers.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 16, 2021
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Salvador Vazquez, Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3% from May to June.
Total employment grew to 875,305, up 0.1% (+1,152), while total unemployment dropped -0.8% (-221) to 27,103.
Idaho’s labor force grew by one-tenth of a percent to 902,408 (+931), marking three consecutive months of gains. The labor force participation rate decreased from 62.7% to 62.6%.
In June, Idaho’s nonfarm payroll jobs jumped to 789,700, up 0.8% (+6,200) from 783,500 in May. Industries with job gains that exceeded expectations included information (+6.9%), state government (+3.8%), natural resources (+2.6%), other services (+2%), accommodation and food services (+1.7%), construction (+1.4%), education and health services (+1.1%), finance and insurance (+1%), local government (+0.7%), professional and business services (+0.6%), wholesale trade (+0.3%), and durable goods manufacturing (+0.3%).
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 15, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov
Monday, July 19, is the final day to nominate Idaho volunteers and philanthropists for the annual Idaho Philanthropy Day awards. This event honors Idaho citizens and for outstanding contributions to their communities. Three regional virtual events will take place in November to recognize winners from eastern, northern and southwestern Idaho.
The program organizers, Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism and the Idaho Nonprofit Center, encourage community members to nominate their neighbors online at IdahoNonprofits.org by the deadline. Continue reading
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2021
Media Contact: Anthony DeVille, anthony.deville@labor.idaho.gov
The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a multi-employer hiring event Tuesday, July 13, at the Boise Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 3050 S. Shoshone St., from noon to 4 p.m.
Up to 30 employers will be looking for candidates to fill a wide range of positions such as bus drivers, human resource associates and account managers, and jobs in retail, hospitality, IT, warehouse operations and production.
Participating employers include Holiday Inn Express, Sorrento Lactalis, AT&T, the city of Boise, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Track Utilities, Amazon, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Truckstop.com, Darigold, Guerdon and many more.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 2, 2021
Media Contacts: Darlene Carnopis, darlene.carnopis@labor.idaho.gov or Gina Robison, gina.robison@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho is one of 15 states to receive a U.S Department of Labor grant to expand its Apprenticeship Idaho program. The $4.25 million grant will be administered by the Idaho Department of Labor.
“Idaho employers have one thing in common – they tell me they need a pipeline of skilled workers with industry-specific training and hands-on experience,” Governor Brad Little said. “By participating in a Registered Apprenticeship program, these same employers can create a customized talent pipeline with extensive education and training in one of more than 1,200 occupations.”
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 1, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov
Individuals serving with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Fuels Management Team are partnering with the Salmon-Challis National Forest to support fire mitigation and response.
AmeriCorps fire management team members Nick Braun and Connor Coyle have been working in the Salmon-Challis National Forest this year. They are part of a crew based in Sacramento, California.
The NCCC team is made up of seven AmeriCorps members from across the nation who have been working on a variety of projects focused on wildland fire. This fire mitigation team is one of only a few in the country and is specialized to provide the U.S. National Forest Service with additional firefighting capacity in strategic locations. The team is currently providing emergency services to the people of Leadore in eastern Idaho and the surrounding area. Continue reading