NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 5, 2023
Media Contact: Matthew.Paskash@labor.idaho.gov
The supply and cost of workers and high labor turnover are among top concerns of Idaho businesses who participated in an Idaho Department of Labor survey this spring.
This inaugural Idaho business climate survey was designed to uncover significant business concerns, desired labor force skills, leadership demographics, remote work trends and future growth expectations among Idaho employers.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 12, 2023
Media Contact: Kellye.Sharp@labor.idaho.gov
Starting Monday, Sept. 18, three new Idaho Department of Labor mobile locations will open in northern Idaho. Locations will be at the Sandpoint Community Resource Envision Center, the Sandpoint Library and VFW Post 10320 in Clark Fork – making 31 mobile locations available across Idaho.
The expansion will provide more options for residents to use Labor’s services in the northern region, such as helping with writing resumes, applying for jobs, prepping for interviews and filing for unemployment insurance benefits. Additionally, job training and other community resources are available.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2023
Media Contact: micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov
AmeriCorps and Serve Idaho Commission members and staff will come together in Jerome, Shoshone, Twin Falls and Gooding to participate in the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. The two groups will lead the community and encourage participation in a month-long donation drive to benefit Project Succeed, which distributes school supplies to teachers in the Magic Valley.
Donations for Project Succeed can be dropped off at the following locations between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. between Sept. 8 – 30.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2023
Media Contact: micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov
AmeriCorps members and the Serve Idaho Commission and staff will come together for a project to benefit community schools in the Treasure Valley as part of the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
“Our community schools serve as neighborhood gathering places where families and community members come together to enhance children’s lives and learning,” said Coby Dennis, Boise School District Superintendent. “The volunteer spirit at the heart of AmeriCorps and the National Day of Service is a great example of what we can do when we work together.”
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 6, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov
According to the U.S Census Bureau, there were 122,331 veterans living in Idaho in 2021, or 8.6% of the total adult population. Quite a few re-enter the workforce after their service.
Two Idaho Department of Labor economists, Matthew Paskash and Ryan Whitesides, will present labor market information on the state’s veteran population and desirable workforce traits of veterans at a free webinar, Tuesday Sept. 12. Continue reading
Idaho’s population growth has been growing fast – so quickly that the state had the No. 1 growth rate in the nation at 21.5 % from 2012-2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Close to 90% of the state’s population growth stems from rapid net domestic migration into Idaho and not from Idaho residents suddenly deciding to have lots of babies. Idaho’s birth rate of 11.8 births per 1,000 population in 2021 (12th highest in the nation) was a 29% decline compared with 16.6 in 2007, fourth highest in the nation at the time). The rate remains higher than most of Idaho’s bordering neighbors, such as Oregon at 9.6 (fourth lowest), Montana at 10.2 and Washington at 10.8. Nationwide, birth rates per 1,000 population have decreased 23%, from 14.3 in 2007 to 11.0 in 2021 [1].
Migration is contributing to a higher number of school-age students in Idaho today than expected based on Idaho births alone but is still unable to reverse the trend that Americans in general are having significantly fewer babies than in the past.
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
Region
This article originally was published in the Lewiston Tribune. It is republished here with permission.
Lisa Grigg, labor economist with the Idaho Department of Labor, poses for a photo at her desk Wednesday in Lewiston. August Frank/Tribune
Constructing more housing might help ease a labor shortage in north central Idaho driven by an aging population.
That observation comes from Lisa Grigg, an economist with the Idaho Department of Labor who is based in Lewiston.
“Our area has under-built for the past decade,” she said. “We just don’t have space for those people who are in their 20s and have a great job and are making a solid income. There’s no places for them to rent and housing prices are out of reach for most.”
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 18, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate experienced a slight increase in July, rising from June’s rate of 2.7% to 2.8%.
July’s labor force – workers who are employed or unemployed but looking for work – increased by 1,058 people to 965,314.
Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of the non-institutionalized civilian population at least 16 years of age and older in the labor force – decreased to 62.4% in July from 62.5% in June.
Total employment decreased by 453 to 938,097 while unemployment increased by 1,511 to 27,217.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 11, 2023
Media Contact: Keeler.Crawford@labor.idaho.gov
Historically low unemployment continues to boost wages and the number of job openings in northern Idaho. Many of those jobs will be featured at a hiring event Aug. 16 in Post Falls.
Job seekers will find a large variety of job opportunities from construction work to caregiving. Many of the more than 25 employers represented are looking to fill multiple positions.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Labor Post Falls office, 600 N. Thornton St.
A sampling of job titles includes machine operator, cashier/shipping clerk, caregivers, sales reps, corrections officer, cook, warehouse associate, painters, afterschool coaches, dental assistant, tax professionals, welder, CNC machinist, millwright, forklift operator, transportation dispatch and many more.