Monthly Archives: May 2023

Apprenticeship Spotlight: Precision Propeller taps veterans to help strengthen its business

Veterans Brandon McCullough and Jeremy Coak, at Precision Propellor Services, work together by giving a propellor the proper parts to make it safe for flight. Veterans Brandon McCullough and Jeremy Coak work together at Precision Propeller Services to make sure a propeller has the parts it needs for a safe flight.

Hiring in industries that don’t require a college degree can be challenging. Certain industries need highly trained individuals to meet job requirements. Registered Apprenticeship programs help meet that need by providing on-the-job training to create a qualified professional.

For Ted Chester, owner of Precision Propeller Services in Boise, the Idaho Registered Apprenticeship program gave his company the talent with the skills they need to learn how to craft various propellers. Chester has been using the program for three to four years to grow his business.

“I was really impressed. The Idaho Department of Labor apprenticeship team walked me through all the steps for creating a Registered Apprenticeship,” Chester said. “It was a good experience.”

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity, May 2023

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

Region

  • Labor demand in northern Idaho remains robust, with elevated levels of unfilled jobs. There were 1,937 job postings in northern Idaho in May 2023 – 1,545 in Kootenai County– according to data from the Conference Board. The most in-demand occupation by far was freight, stock, and material workers, followed by registered nurses and a variety of high-turnover and common service sector positions.
    Top 10 occupations by job posting in northern Idaho

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June 6 webinar focuses on Idaho’s labor force, business climate

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 31, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

A panel of labor economists will be highlighting the first ever Idaho Employer Climate Survey results during an Idaho Department of Labor webinar, June 6.

Survey insights will include how jobs are being advertised and filled, skills employers are seeking and the prevalence of remote/hybrid work by industry.

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Serve Idaho announces $375,000 in funding for AmeriCorps planning grants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 30, 2023
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

Up to five organizations will receive funding up to $75,000 each for planning grants to explore the feasibility of operating an AmeriCorps program. These funds allow time and financial resources for organizations to determine how an AmeriCorps program and its members could help solve community problems.

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Businesses: Learn how to pay employees and stay in compliance, May 31

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 25, 2023
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses are invited to learn about the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour services Wednesday, May 31 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (MDT) during an online seminar via Zoom.

Employees are also welcome to attend.

The seminar, featuring Wage and Hour supervisor Artie Holmes, will cover wage and hour jurisdiction, the wage claim process, wage deductions and reductions, wage payment upon separation, paid time off, vacation and sick time, and documentation. Continue reading →

The future of broadband in Idaho

High-speed internet, or broadband internet, once seen as a luxury service, is now understood to be a critical utility that brings equitable economic opportunity to many.

Broadband not only brings social connectivity, but can raise property values, increase job opportunities, boost education access and expand health outcomes through telehealth. [1] However, the difference in access between urban and rural America continues and was especially apparent once the pandemic set in.

This gap, known as the “digital divide,” is a gap rural America is all too familiar with. From 2017-2021, rural households in Idaho have seen smaller percentage increases in internet subscriptions (1.3% fewer) and computing devices (0.5% fewer) than urban households. With the pandemic highlighting this issue to a broader audience, lawmakers are working on closing this gap, increasing economic opportunities for rural households.

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Idaho’s April unemployment rate remains at 2.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 19, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in April, unchanged from March.

April’s labor force – workers who are employed or unemployed but looking for work – increased by 744 people (0.1%) to 960,758.

Idaho’s labor force participation decreased by 0.1 percentage point between March and April, dropping to 62.5%.

Total employment increased by 917 (0.1%) to 936,253 as unemployment decreased by 173 (-0.7%) to 24,505.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 500 (0.1%) to 847,300 in April. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include information (4.2%); natural resources (2.3%); arts, entertainment and recreation (1.4%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (0.9%); construction (0.7%); and state government (0.6%).

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30 employers available in Pocatello at hiring event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2023
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

Nearly 30 Idaho businesses will be available in Pocatello on Wednesday, May 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet with potential job applicants.

The hiring event is taking place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Pocatello office, 430 N. 5th Ave.

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Monthly Post Falls Hiring Event to bring over 100 jobs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 9, 2023
Media Contact: Keeler.Crawford@labor.idaho.gov

A group of Idaho businesses with more than 100 jobs to fill will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 at Labor’s Post Falls Hiring Event. The event takes place at the Idaho Department of Labor office, located at 600 N. Thornton St.

Employers planning to attend include Amazon, Heritage Health, the State of Idaho, Renaissance at Coeur d’Alene, Sage Truck Driving School, Fred Meyer, Shabby Fabrics, LaCrosse Health and Rehab, Riverbend Zip’s Drive-In, Home Helpers and more.

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Summer job opportunities available for teens May 13

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2023
Media Contact: Janalee.Henderson@labor.idaho.gov

Teens and young adults (ages 16 and older) are invited to connect with employers about summer job opportunities Saturday, May 13.

Boise and Meridian employers will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Galaxy Event Center at Wahooz Family Fun Zone, 1385 S. Blue Marlin Lane, to interview teens for job openings.

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