Category Archives: Job Seekers

Wages increase in Ada County, Labor puts on hiring event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 9, 2024
Media Contact: Joe.Goitianda@labor.idaho.gov

The average covered wage for all industries in Ada County has grown by 25% since 2019, according to Labor Economist Jan Roeser.

And from a recent news release from the Idaho Department of Labor, the Boise Metropolitan Statistical Area had the largest average hourly wage increase of $2.62 over the year.

Job seekers in Boise who are looking to change careers, are invited to a hiring event Wednesday, May 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Boise Public Library. The library is located at 715 S. Capitol Blvd.

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Migration into northern Idaho creates job opportunities for residents

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2024
Media Contact: Tara.McKelvey@labor.idaho.gov

There has been significant migration into northern Idaho, according to Labor Economist Lisa Grigg. Within a five-year span, 2018-2023, the region’s population increased by 15%.

“A growing population requires more goods, services, infrastructure and construction activities,” Grigg said. “The need for labor also remains strong.”

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Idaho launches innovative teacher apprenticeship program to fill job openings

Idaho openings for K-12 teachers remains robust, with over 1,500 unique job postings in 2023, and 2,000 in 2022 according to Lightcast data, and the demand isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon. Employment projections by the Idaho Department of Labor anticipate a continued need, forecasting 1,500 to 1,600 statewide openings annually from 2022 to 2032.

To become a teacher in Idaho, an individual must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, complete an educator preparation program, complete an unpaid student teaching program and pass a State Board-approved content assessment to receive an endorsement for proper certification.

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Program offers free training in Idaho construction occupations

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2024
Media Contact: Georgia.Smith@labor.idaho.gov or Lindsay.Trombly@labor.idaho.gov

Free training is currently available for Idahoans wanting to pursue a career in heavy equipment operation, cement masonry and concrete finishing.

Depending on the occupation, annual wages in this industry can range from $43,000 to $52,000 statewide, according to the 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS) from the Idaho Department of Labor.

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Women working in trades and transportation industries are on the rise

More and more Idaho women are achieving financial stability by holding nontraditional roles in male-dominated industries – whether it be in construction, transportation or the general trades.

“Working in transportation helped me find things I love to do,” said Idaho Department of Transportation Training Specialist Lori Copeland. “There is value in discovering how the perspective I bring to my work as a woman is different than most of my male counterparts.”

Construction

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Workforce Indicator (Q2 2023), one in five women are construction workers or in Idaho, approximately 20%. The number of women in the industry overall has grown by 8% since 1992.

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Apprenticeship Spotlight: Idaho businesses focus on family with apprenticeship opportunities

Long-term staffing can be challenging for small family-owned Idaho businesses. Finding and hiring talent can also be a costly burden in a tight labor market. A fully trained candidate expects higher wages, and the cost to train a job candidate can be expensive.

Some Idaho businesses are turning to the Idaho Registered Apprenticeship program to train their children and keep the business in the family.

Aspen Air Design – Malad

Aspen Air Design has been in the HVAC business since 2008 and has locations in Idaho (Rexburg and Malad) as well as Utah.

As owner Virginia Edlefsen experienced hiring challenges, she noticed her 16-year-old grandson Leonardo Dirilo took interest in her business and decided to give him some valuable work experience as a Registered Apprentice.

“He’s handy with tools and he’s very mechanically inclined and likes to be working,” she said. “He likes to work, and the labor of it. He’s quite talented at building metal and putting things together. He’s a quick learner.”

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10 Mini-Cassia area students enroll in Machine Operator Registered Apprenticeship program

Machine operator apprenticesIndustry and education leaders came together in Burley on Nov. 14 to celebrate and support 10 new students who signed contracts and enrolled in the Machine Operator School-to-Registered Apprenticeship Program (STRAP). The program began in 2017 and continues to be a great option for high school students interested in careers in the manufacturing industry.

McCain Foods and High Desert Milk, program supporters from the beginning, consistently participate, support and provide opportunities for local students to train for food processing jobs in high demand occupations at their companies.

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Gov. Brad Little proclaims Idaho Apprenticeship Month, highlights Idaho LAUNCH

Gov. Brad Little with an apprentice

Gov. Brad Little has proclaimed the entire month of November as Idaho Apprenticeship Month.

Registered Apprenticeships are a proven pathway for job seekers to join the workforce and receive paid, on-the-job training leading to a recognized certification or credential in a working industry of their interest.

Apprenticeships have a 90% success rate of apprentices remaining as an employee in an industry after completing their program.

“There are multiple pathways to success,” Little said. “We need more young Idahoans to go on to postsecondary education, and we’ve been very intentional about expanding ‘go-on’ to include opportunities outside of the traditional four-year college degree – including apprenticeships.”

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Labor offers mobile services in five eastern Idaho communities

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 17, 2023
Media Contact: Jill.Kleist@labor.idaho.gov

Idahoans living in rural and remote areas of eastern Idaho can now get help finding a job in five mobile locations.

In addition to the department’s brick-and-mortar office in Idaho Falls, job seekers can access the department’s services in Ashton, Challis, Rexburg, Salmon and St. Anthony.

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Apprenticeship Spotlight: Idaho Rural Water Association taps apprenticeships to fill retirements

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.

Water being tested

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.

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