Category Archives: Employers

Feb. 14 labor market webinar focuses on accessing U.S. Census data

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 8, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to a free webinar, Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to noon (MST) via Zoom. Businesses will learn about the U.S. Census and why it provides crucial information to all parts of our economy.

Jan Roeser, the Idaho Department of Labor economist for southwestern Idaho, will explain commuting patterns, characteristics defining consumers and housing trends, population migration patterns and how communities are changing over time.

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Online employer seminar series kicks off Jan. 25 with focus on labor market information

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 18, 2023
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov

Employers across the state are invited to attend a free Zoom seminar Jan. 25, 9 to 10:30 a.m. MT, to learn more about labor market information in Idaho.

Participants will hear about the underlying causes of why help wanted signs are so prevalent in Idaho and the U.S. The seminar will also address why demographics lie at the heart of so many economic concerns.

Sam Wolkenhauer, Idaho Department of Labor economist for northern Idaho, will lead the presentation. A Q&A will follow.

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Idaho’s short-term employment growth is expected to continue through 2024

New short-term employment projections from the Idaho Department of Labor show Idaho’s healthy rate of job creation is expected to continue over the next two years. Total employment in Idaho — including self-employed and family businesses — reached a new high of 854,474 in the base period in 2022. This is projected to grow by 1.4% annually, reaching 878,100 in 2024.

The robustness and consistency of Idaho’s labor market has been a shining light in past years, with the state consistently leading the country in job growth. In 2020, COVID-19 led to significant job losses in a very short period of time — with almost all job losses occurring in March and April, but Idaho demonstrated its economic vitality with a quick rebound, returning to rapid job growth the following year. In fact, job growth in Idaho has been so strong that, even with the setback in 2020 during the pandemic, total employment in 2022 still reached and even exceeded forecasts.

Figure 1: Total employment in Idaho 2016-2022, with Idaho Labor 2024 projection

line chart - job growth projectionSource: Idaho Department of Labor

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity, January 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

Region

  • The Idaho Department of Lands purchased 18,050 acres of timberland spread around the five northern Idaho counties. The land, acquired for $50.4 million, will support state endowment beneficiaries, especially Idaho’s public schools, and boost long-term timber sales. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Kootenai County

  • Great Homes of Idaho is now operating in Post Falls. A builder of manufactured and modular homes, Great Homes started in Missoula and has now expanded to northern Idaho. This new supply of affordable housing is greatly desirable, with Kootenai County experiencing serious shortages of workforce housing. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Coeur d’Alene Airport is evaluating adding a commercial terminal. The current proposal would permit Avports, an airport operations management firm based in Virginia, to construct a new terminal, which would service commercial flights connecting northern Idaho to regional locations like Boise and Seattle. A measure is currently before the Kootenai County Board of Commissioners which would approve a 25-year lease for the project. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press
  • The Hayden City Council denied a zoning amendment which would have allowed for a new subdivision to be built on the arterial Ramsey and Hayden intersection. Council members cited serious traffic concerns. The city’s capital improvement plan has already identified the intersection as a priority for improvement. Source: Coeur d’Alene Press

Openings

  • Bruchi’s, Post Falls
  • Club Pilates, Hayden
  • Parallel 47, Coeur d’Alene
  • Pizza Hut, Hayden
  • The Wellness Bar, Coeur d’Alene

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

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Jan. 17 webinar focuses on winter seasonality in Idaho’s job market 

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 10, 2023
Media Contact: Lindsay.Trombly@labor.idaho.gov

Photo of Idaho in winter

Idaho businesses are invited to learn about seasonal adjustments in employment and unemployment data in a free webinar Jan. 17.

Lisa Grigg, Idaho Department of Labor economist for north central Idaho, will explain the reasons behind seasonality and shed light on the seasonal adjustment process. Workshop participants will learn what seasonal adjustments are and how the process allows clearer comparisons of data over time as calendar effects, major outliers and one-time events are eliminated.

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Around Idaho: Economic Activity, December 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

  • Northern Idaho ended the year with labor demand still at elevated levels amid pressing labor shortages. Job posting data from The Conference Board’s Help Wanted OnLine data series showed nearly 21,000 job postings in the Coeur d’Alene metro area in 2022 – a significant increase over past years. The year ended with over 3,500 unfilled jobs in the region.
  • A 26,000-square-foot facility for Hayden Surgery Center is under construction in Hayden. The facility will include an orthopedic urgent care, physical therapy office and an outpatient surgery center with four operating rooms. The surgery center is scheduled to open in September.

Openings

  • Bruchi’s (Post Falls)
  • Berry Bay Smoothies (Hayden)
  • Vantage Point Brewing (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Caliber Collision (Post Falls)
  • Beer One (Coeur d’Alene)
  • Milan Laser Hair Removal (Post Falls)
  • Incyte Diagnostics (Post Falls)
  • Alpine Auto & Off Road Repair (Post Falls)

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

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The post-COVID outlook for Idaho health care workers

Poto of health care workers

A study by Idaho Department of Labor economist Matthew Paskash analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on health care workers by comparing pre-pandemic, current and projected data in the areas of employment and wages, job postings, health care program completions and Idaho Department of Labor occupational and industry projections. The study also examines additional insights from stakeholder interviews and a survey of health care workers.

This analysis concludes with an anticipated near-to-medium-term outlook of shortages of health care practitioners in Idaho. To combat these shortages, the state may explore efforts in attracting health care workers, expanding education and training programs, and stemming the outflow of health care practitioners to other states.

Read the Executive Summary here.

This Idaho Department of Labor project is 100% funded by USDOL as part of two Employment and Training Administration awards totaling $695,785.

Dec. 6 webinar focuses on the generations in the workforce

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 30, 2022
Media Contact: Lindsay.Trombly@labor.idaho.gov

Dec. 6 webinar focuses on the generations in the workforceWe are hiring sign in window

Idaho businesses are invited to a free webinar Tuesday, Dec. 6 to learn more about America’s current labor market.

Sam Wolkenhauer, Idaho Department of Labor economist for northern Idaho, will present the topic. Participants will learn why help wanted signs in windows are so prevalent in America and what role demographics are playing in the future of work.

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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

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