Monthly Archives: September 2023

Apprenticeship Spotlight: Idaho Rural Water Association taps apprenticeships to fill retirements

Where does the water from our faucet go? Or maybe the water from the toilet?

Wastewater travels down our pipes to individual water districts across Idaho, where it is treated by Idaho Rural Water Association workers.

Water being tested

As a leader of dedicated employees in wastewater treatment, the organization trains and creates specialists who play a critical role in providing healthy water for our communities.

Job vacancies in the wastewater treatment industry are tough to fill.  Idaho’s retirement rate in this industry is slightly above average compared to the United States, according to Idaho Department of Labor economist Jan Roeser.

In total – 40% over the national average.

But on the other end of the spectrum, there are many people employed as water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Idaho — 1,410 to be exact. Breaking that up geographically, there are about 500 employed operators in rural Idaho.

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Salmon volunteer recognized for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 29, 2023
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little presented Eileen Twombly with a Governor’s Brightest Star Award for her volunteer service to Custer and Lemhi counties during a special Idaho Capital for a Day ceremony on Sept. 28.

“Idaho’s rural communities rely on volunteerism, and Twombly is an amazing example of the important role volunteers play in Idaho,” Gov. Little said.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity, September 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

Kootenai County

  • Labor demand in northern Idaho remains robust, with elevated levels of unfilled jobs. In August 2023, there were 2,104 job postings in northern Idaho, of which 1,680 were posted in Kootenai County, according to data from the Conference Board. The most in-demand occupation was registered nurses, followed by retail salespersons.

Top 10 occupations by job postings in northern Idaho, August 2023

Table: Top 10 occupations by job postings in northern Idaho, August 2023 Continue reading →

Survey highlights improvement in Idahoans’ economic situation

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2023
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

The number of Idahoans with health care insurance in 2022 increased from 89.2% to 91.8% compared to pre-pandemic data for 2019, according to the recently released American Community Survey (ACS).

Nearly all of Idaho’s larger counties reported a greater share of the population covered by health care insurance, except for Bonneville County.

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Caldwell’s population growth contributes to expanding labor force

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2023
Media Contact: Monico.Sanchez@labor.idaho.gov

The number of people 16 years of age or older who are living in Caldwell and employed or actively looking for work has grown by 1.5% since August of last year. According to Idaho Department of Labor economist Jan Roeser, part of that increase is due to population growth, which also creates more job opportunities.

“Certain industries like retail, health care, hospitality and food services grow because of population growth,” said Roeser. “Manufacturing and wholesale distribution are also included and are high paying industries.

The Caldwell Labor office is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Sept. 28, 3 to 6 p.m. in the Caldwell Labor parking lot located at 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

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Idaho Labor to hold hiring event in Pocatello amidst declining unemployment rate

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2023
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

The seasonally adjusted, preliminary unemployment rate in the Pocatello metropolitan area is currently at 3.2%, which is down 1% from the revised unemployment rate last month. This percentage rate, according to Labor economist Ryan Whitesides, is from workers returning to work from furloughs or layoffs from large-scale industrial projects.

“While total employment grew as unemployment dropped in the region, unemployment mathematically dropped a bit faster,” Whitesides said.

To help residents find jobs and employers to fine workers, the Idaho Department of Labor is holding a hiring event on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

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Businesses will learn about unemployment insurance benefits at Sept. 27 seminar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 21, 2023
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses and employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) benefits from the Idaho Department of Labor during a free Zoom seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (MDT).

The seminar, featuring UI Supervisor Salvador Martinez and UI Claims Adjudicator Wesley Jones, will cover the claim filing process, what happens when a claimant quits or is fired and how to protect an account from charges.

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Helping Idaho veterans meet challenges, seize opportunities

U.S. military veterans play an important role in the Idaho workforce and in their local communities. Sometimes veterans tend to be older than their nonveteran counterparts and face a unique set of challenges. Their armed services training often gives veterans specialized and transferrable skills that are marketable in the civilian economy. The employment services offered by the Idaho Department of Labor and its partner agencies also help our veteran population manage some of the challenges they face in the workforce.

Veteran demographics by the numbers

The percentage of Idahoans aged 18 and over claiming veteran status is 8.6%, about 1.3 times the national average [1]. Wartime-era veterans are represented in Figure 1. From a total of 122,000 veterans, this leaves a balance of 16,838 veterans living in Idaho who fall under the “other wartime service” category, including service in Afghanistan, the War on Terror and later conflicts.

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The Idaho Department of Labor eases job postings with hiring event in Post Falls

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 15, 2023
Media Contact: Keeler.Crawford@labor.idaho.gov

With a high demand for workers and almost 1,700 job postings in Kootenai County, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting its annual monthly hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 20 to share job opportunities.

64 different economic sectors have active job postings right now in northern Idaho. The top three categories are: delivery and messenger services; professional, scientific, and technical services; and administrative and support services. Over 35 employers attending the hiring event will be trying to fill openings in some of these industries on Wednesday.

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Idaho’s August unemployment rate increases to 3%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 15, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or
John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased in August, rising by two-tenths of a percent from 2.8% in July to 3%. This is the first time the state’s unemployment rate has been at or above 3% since November 2021.

August’s labor force increased by 1,874 people (0.2%) to 967,145.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are employed or looking for work if unemployed – remained at 62.4% in August.

Total employment was effectively unchanged with an increase of 121 to 938,190 while unemployment increased by 1,753 (6.4%) to 28,955.

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