Category Archives: Employers

Idaho apprentices enrolled in registered training see 52.7% gain in 2022

Photo of dental assistant with womanNon-traditional apprenticeships can increase talent employee pool

More Idaho workers have enrolled in apprenticeships this year than ever before, broadening the potential for state workforce gains in a tight labor market.

A total of 1,179 new apprentices enrolled in an apprenticeship in 2022, with 81 new apprenticeship programs registered throughout Idaho. Enrollments are up 52.7% from 772 in 2021, and the number of completed apprenticeships has more than doubled. Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity, November 2022

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

Bonner County

  • BNSF Railways opened its Sandpoint Junction Connector bridge nearly a year ahead of schedule and began running traffic across the bridge. The new bridge adds a second line across Lake Pend Oreille, addressing a critical transit bottleneck where multiple lines converge before crossing the lake. Source: CDA Press

Kootenai County

  • A new preschool is under construction in Coeur d’Alene. Phase one construction of the Kinder Prep Learning Center is underway with a spring opening planned. The preschool will care for children ages 18 months to 5 years old. Kootenai County currently has substantial shortages of childcare availability. Source: CDA Press
  • A 20,000-square-foot professional building is under construction in Coeur d’Alene. The Prairie Professional building will offer suite sizes ranging from 2,200 to 10,000 square feet. The project is slated for completion in December 2023. Source: CDA Press
  • The city of Coeur d’Alene is exploring grant options to help pay for new mooring docks at the city’s popular Third Street docks. The current docks were installed in 2000 and have cost the city nearly $100,000 in repairs due to rotting timbers. The city Parks and Recreation Department is exploring a $500,000 project to replace the current timber docks with composite materials. Source: CDA Press

Openings

  • UPS Office Center (Hayden)
  • Rivaura CDA Tasting Room (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Uncorked with Friends (Hayden)
  • HomeTown Family Chiropractic (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Northwest Crafters (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Cochinito Taqueria (Hayden)
  • Burger Dock (Coeur d’Alene)

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

Continue reading →

Winter’s arrival and why employment is seasonally adjusted

Most of Idaho experiences below freezing temperatures and is often covered under a blanket of snow between November and February. When the weather turns colder, employment levels decline in industries such as construction, mining/logging and leisure/hospitality. The holiday season and winter breaks result in fluctuations in educational services and retail. Despite the Farmer’s Almanac predicting Idaho’s 2022-2023 winter season to be dry and calm, it will still see patterns in our overall employment levels where the direction and magnitude can often be forecasted. This reduction in employment does not represent a permanent trend for analyzing the labor force but reverses in a predictable manner throughout the calendar year. Data that is seasonally adjusted helps reduce the noise of recurring seasonal fluctuation and show the true underlying employment trends present in Idaho’s labor force. Continue reading →

Labor e-response system helps employers respond to unemployment insurance claims

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Tyler.Smith@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers with fewer than 500 employees can save money and respond quickly, easily and accurately to unemployment insurance claims filed against their account by using an online e-response system available through the Idaho Department of Labor.

Businesses that register with the State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) will be assigned a personal identification number (PIN). Once they are signed up, they will automatically receive an email when employees stop working for them and file for unemployment benefits.

Each email includes a website address. Employers use their PIN to access and respond to a request. When finished, SIDES sends a confirmation number and a PDF for employer records.

In order to use this service, employers must respond to benefit claims requests in seven days. If there is a disagreement and employers don’t respond in this timeframe, they may be charged for benefits paid until the claim is appealed.

SIDES Benefits for Employers:

  • It’s free.
  • Prevent mistakes with a response format used nationwide.
  • Confirm data and check for completeness.
  • Get requests and respond faster.
  • Receive confirmation notices.
  • Reduce follow-up phone calls, mail and email.
  • Reduce postage costs and paper use.
  • Avoid mail delivery delays.
  • Improve fraud detection and reduce improper payments.
  • Reduce the number of appeal hearings.

Sign up for SIDES E-Response at www.labor.idaho.gov/SIDES.

For more information, visit www.labor.idaho.gov/eservices. Contact us at sides@labor.idaho.gov or (208) 947-1055.

Apprenticeship collaboration connects Idaho health clinics with talent

Mariah Aripa holds her dental assisting apprenticeship completion certificate.

Mariah Aripa holds her dental assisting apprenticeship completion certificate. Photo courtesy of ICHCA.

Idaho’s labor market has been tight since the pandemic, particularly for specialized industries like health care.

Health clinics already face a heavy administrative burden and managing and paying for training is a big obstacle that gets in the way of staffing and talent recruitment. The Idaho Community Health Centers Association is trying to solve this problem through apprenticeship training and funding coordination. Continue reading →

OPINION: Registered Apprenticeships benefit Idaho’s people, economy

Thursday, November 10, 2022

By Jani Revier, director of Idaho Department of Labor

Nov. 14-20 is National Apprenticeship Week and marks the Photo of Jani Revier, Idaho Department of Labor directorcelebration of a proven and time-honored career pathway. Right now, 236 Idaho businesses sponsor apprenticeships, with more than 1,800 participating Idahoans getting paid on the job.

Like many Americans, Idahoans have seen sharp increases in housing costs while the consumer price index has risen 8.2% in just one year. Facing these circumstances, Idaho’s workforce needs competitive job opportunities now more than ever, and the state’s employers need the labor. Continue reading →

Idaho’s construction industry on the rise

Idaho’s construction industry practically doubled employment over the past 10 years from 2011-2021, growing by 94% or 28,525 more workers. This is the largest percentage growth among Idaho industry sectors.

The construction industry stalled nationally and in Idaho during the Great Recession of December 2007 to June 2009. A slow construction recovery finally kicked in after jobs bottomed out in 2011 and 2012, with just under 30,000 in statewide employment.

Employment

Construction has always been a volatile industry with seasonal swings based on weather and business cycles affected by financing, consumer confidence and the national economy. Idaho’s construction employment history in Chart 1 cites longer expansionary periods than downturns over the past 20 years. The Great Recession recovery coincides with competitive hiring among most industries contributing to a well-documented labor shortage.

Chart showing growth of Idaho private construction jobs 2001-2021 Continue reading →

Employer workshops focus on unemployment insurance

2 Replies

The Idaho Department of Labor is presenting a series of free three-hour workshops throughout the state in October about unemployment insurance for employers.

The workshops will be led by unemployment insurance specialists, who will discuss the process followed when employees file for unemployment benefits and how that affects the employer.

Other topics include:

  • Using E-services
  • Claimant eligibility
  • Employer attachment
  • Investigating unemployment claims
  • Discussing separations — when laid off, discharged or quit
  • Determining claim outcome
  • Understanding a chargeable determination
  • Learning about the appeals process
  • Recent law changes
  • Discussing fraud

Schedule and locations are:

Nov. 17, ONLINE ZOOM MEETING – 9 a.m. to 12 Noon
Supervisors, managers, human resource officers and others are encouraged to attend. Contact Salvador Martinez at 208-332-3570 ext. 3473 or by email at Salvador.Martinez@labor.idaho.gov

Oct. 18, Lewiston, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Hells Canyon Grant Hotel, 621 21st St.
RSVP 208-799-5000 ext. 3524

Oct. 19, Post Falls, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Idaho Department of Labor Post Falls office
600 N. Thornton St.
RSVP 208-457-8789 ext. 4142

Oct. 20, Twin Falls, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
College of Southern Idaho
Taylor Building, Room 276
315 Falls Ave.
RSVP 208-735-2500 ext. 3784

Oct. 20, Sandpoint, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Edgewater Resort
56 Bridge St.
Sandpoint
RSVP 208-457-8789 ext. 4142

Oct. 25, Idaho Falls, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Idaho Department of Labor Idaho Falls office
1515 E. Lincoln Road
RSVP 208-557-2500 ext. 3966

Oct. 27, Caldwell, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Idaho Department of Labor Caldwell office
4514 Thomas Jefferson St.
RSVP 208-364-7781 ext. 3932

###

Idaho’s unemployment insurance programs are 100% funded by U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grants totaling $40,761,255.

Three factors give cause for optimism about American manufacturing

Demographic changes, technological development and changing global cost structures now promise to make America among the most competitive manufacturing nations in the world.

For decades, manufacturing has been viewed by many people as an industry on the decline in the United States. As the American economy shifted ever more heavily towards services, factory employment in the country has steadily deteriorated. American manufacturing employment peaked at nearly 19.5 million in 1979, and has been steadily on the decline since then, averaging around 12 million throughout the 2010s.

In addition, the past several decades saw the emergence of substantial, low cost, rival manufacturing centers around the globe – particularly in Asia.

Despite this there are indications manufacturing in America has a dynamic future. There are at least three reasons to be optimistic about the future of manufacturing in America.

1) Energy Prices

Manufacturing is a very energy-intensive economic sector. Not only are electricity demands for industrial production enormous, but natural gas and other petroleum inputs are foundational raw materials for many products. Numerous chemicals, including plastics and fertilizer, are manufactured using natural gas. In 2021, the U.S. Energy Information Agency reported industrial energy consumption was 25% greater than residential and commercial consumption combined.[1]

Continue reading →

Around Idaho: Economic Activity, September 2022

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

  • A 27,000-square-foot surgical facility is being built in Hayden. The Hayden Surgery Center will provide outpatient and orthopedic surgery, physical therapy and minor emergency services. Source: Journal of Business
  • North Idaho College’s Dental Hygiene program opened a new community dental clinic on the college’s main campus. The clinic will offer low-cost dental cleanings while helping dental hygiene students complete their clinicals to become register hygienists. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The North Idaho State Fair concluded its 10-day run with a record attendance. The fair saw 168,567 guests – a 9% increase from attendance in 2021. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings

  • Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Coeur d’Alene
  • Bottle Joy, Coeur d’Alene
  • Little Bear Tattoo, Coeur d’Alene
  • Lucy & Sevens Pizzeria, Coeur d’Alene
  • Uncorked With Friends, Hayden
  • Dent Viking, Post Falls
  • North Idaho Rock School, Rathdrum

Sam.Wolkenhauer@labor.idaho.gov, regional economist
(208) 457-8789 ext. 4451

Continue reading →