NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Nov. 21, 2023
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho businesses and employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) tax compliance from the Idaho Department of Labor during a free Zoom seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (MDT).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 2, 2023
Media Contact: Craig,Shaul@labor.idaho.gov
“Is the U.S, headed for a recession?” has been making headlines for some time, in part from COVID-19 pandemic fallout. Inflation has slowed, which is a positive sign, but how resilient is Idaho’s economy.
Currently, unemployment in Idaho is at 2.7%, and the monthly job reports are robust and the state has seen strong GDP growth.
The Idaho Department of Labor, will explore this data during our monthly labor market webinar on Tuesday, Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to noon (MDT) over Zoom.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 31, 2023
Media Contact: Misti.Sullivan@labor.idaho.gov
Effective today, the Idaho Department of Labor’s Orofino mobile location has moved. Its new location is 416 Johnson Ave. Suite 19.
The new location will continue its usual operating hours of Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. The mobile location will also be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional meeting times are available by appointment.
Apprenticeships are a valuable workforce training option to help combat Idaho’s current labor challenges. Apprenticeship’s “earn while you learn” method allows for a more financially viable education than a traditional degree by combining classroom and on-the-job training for a more holistic educational experience.
As technology changes how and where we work, apprenticeships have the ability to adapt to changes in employer needs faster than a traditional degree and can be a win-win workforce solution for employees and employers.
Current labor market and future needs of employers
The following graph helps illustrate how the current labor market has evolved since 2015. Before the pandemic, the number of job postings and unemployed persons had a stable trend. When the pandemic hit, the number of unemployed spiked, but returned to its pre-pandemic level fairly soon. Job postings did not fall back to pre-pandemic levels, leaving the demand (job postings) outstripping supply (available workers), creating a current labor shortage of roughly 1.75 job openings per unemployed person in Idaho.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 5, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov and Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov
Two webinars in July hosted by the Idaho Department of Labor will showcase how Registered Apprenticeships are a valuable investment to businesses.
The first webinar takes place on Tuesday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to noon MDT via Zoom.
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.”