Monthly Archives: July 2024

Despite Rexburg’s low unemployment rate, employers continue to fill job openings

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2024
Media Contact: Maria.Martin@labor.idaho.gov

Since June, Rexburg’s labor market area has had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.8%, according to Labor Economist Ryan Whitesides with the Idaho Department of Labor.

“This unemployment rate bodes well with a reduced competition for jobs, especially this time of year,” Whitesides said. “It’s more of a job seekers’ market in the Rexburg area.”

To help connect job seekers to opportunities, the department is hosting a hiring event, Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Rexburg. The address is 480 W. 2nd N.

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Around Idaho: Economic activity, July 2024

Map of IdahoInformation provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of July and includes professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

Northern Idaho
North central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South central Idaho
Southeastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHERN IDAHO

Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties

Region

  • Labor demand in northern Idaho remained stable in June, 2024, with a total of 1,889 unique job postings in the region – a slight uptick from 1,879 in May. While job postings remained mostly unchanged, they came from a larger variety of employers, with 659 different employers posting jobs in June compared to 560 in May. The unemployment rate rose slightly in June from 4.4% to 4.6%. Overall, both total employment and the total labor force in northern Idaho remained slightly higher in June 2024 than in June 2023.

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How rising temperatures impact Idaho workers

In July, Idaho endured multiple days of excessive heat watch warnings as relentless triple-digit temperatures baked parts of the state. While the sun invites beaches and summer fun, working outside in the heat can pose health and safety risks.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 2023, 207 deaths in the U.S. were attributed to heat-related causes — over two times the rate of people killed by rip currents, the second-most prevalent category as reported by Weather Related Fatality and Injury Statistics. Since heat does not require the presence of any particular geographic feature, it affects larger populations. According to Weather.gov’s Hazard Heat Report, none of the heat-related fatalities that occurred in 2023 were in Idaho; deaths mostly took place in the sun belt states like Arizona (100 deaths) and Nevada (33 deaths).

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A symbiotic relationship: hunting, angling, wildlife recreation and Idaho’s labor market

Idaho is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with hunting and angling at the heart of a vibrant outdoor scene. Historically, it’s been an intrinsic and generational part of the livelihood to many who live in the state. In fact, the Idaho Department of Labor has found fishing, hunting and trapping employment has been growing at an annual clip of 6.6% since 2012 [1].

Based on the department’s occupational projections for 2022 through 2032, employment for fishing, hunting and trapping is projected to expand by 22.1% as one of the fastest growing occupational categories, by percentage, in Idaho [1]. Outdoor enthusiasts and industry workers alike have a stake in the industry and are dependent on one another for its success.

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Idaho’s June unemployment rate increases to 3.4%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2024
Media Contact: William.Winkle@labor.idaho.gov
or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4% in June, an increase from May’s rate of 3.3%.

The state’s labor force increased by 2,227 people (0.2%) to 977,902 while the labor force participation rate — the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are either employed or looking for work — increased from 62.7% to 62.8% between May and June.

Total employment increased by 1,649 (0.2%) to 944,740 as unemployment increased by 578 (1.8%) to 33,162.

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Over 1,000 job postings in Boise, employers looking to fill positions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2024
Media Contact: Sheri.Phimmasone@labor.idaho.gov

The top three occupations in Boise with the most job postings in June were registered nurses, retail salespersons and software developers, according to Labor Economist Jan Roeser.

With employers looking to fill open positions, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a Multi-Employer Job Fair, Wednesday, July 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Hewlett Packard (otherwise known as the HP Campus) in the Les Bois Conference Room. The address is 11311 W. Chinden Blvd.

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Airport worker fatalities have increased in Idaho

On August 15, 2023, Benjamin Katz of The Wall Street Journal released the article, “More Workers Are Getting Hurt on the Tarmac. ‘It Was Really Frightening.’” In the article, Katz examined Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) data and interviewed multiple airport employees and companies. According to Katz’s findings, there has been a significant increase in work-related injuries for airport workers since the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of worker fatigue, inexperience, lack of government oversight, and lack of training. There has also been a significant turnover in the past five years among airport workers, which potentially expounds these risk factors. 3

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Business openings and job opportunities continue to increase in Canyon County

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2024
Media Contact: Traci.Petitt@labor.idaho.gov

Economic growth since the pandemic has climbed in Canyon County with about 50% more businesses and 20% more jobs. During that same time frame, the county’s average wage grew by 30% compared to inflation at 19%, said Labor Economist with the Idaho Department of Labor Jan Roeser.

“Prospects are encouraging for the area that continue to see housing developments and home values increase in step with its job market,” Roeser said.

To connect job seekers to the many job opportunities and resources in Canyon County, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a career and resource fair, Thursday, July 18, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nampa Public Library. The address is 215 12th Ave. S.

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Around 530 employers look to fill job openings in Kootenai County

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 11, 2024
Media Contact: Tara.McKelvey@labor.idaho.gov

The top industries hiring in Kootenai County are administrative services, ambulatory health care and hospitals, according to Idaho Department of Labor Economist Sam Wolkenhauer.

There are approximately 1,285 job openings in the area. To connect employers to perspective job candidates, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the department’s Post Falls office. The address is 600 N. Thornton St.

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Labor economists dive into Idaho’s fish and wildlife industry, July 9

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 1, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

In 2023, there were over 4,200 jobs in Idaho related to fishing, game hunting and supporting occupations. Cumulatively, the occupations have grown at a 6.6% rate since 2012, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

“Based on the department’s occupational projections for 2022 through 2032, job growth for these occupations is projected to expand by 22.1% as one of the fastest growing occupations in Idaho,” Labor Economist Ryan Whitesides said.

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