Category Archives: Job Seekers

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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Caldwell’s population growth contributes to expanding labor force

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2023
Media Contact: Monico.Sanchez@labor.idaho.gov

The number of people 16 years of age or older who are living in Caldwell and employed or actively looking for work has grown by 1.5% since August of last year. According to Idaho Department of Labor economist Jan Roeser, part of that increase is due to population growth, which also creates more job opportunities.

“Certain industries like retail, health care, hospitality and food services grow because of population growth,” said Roeser. “Manufacturing and wholesale distribution are also included and are high paying industries.

The Caldwell Labor office is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Sept. 28, 3 to 6 p.m. in the Caldwell Labor parking lot located at 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

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Idaho Labor to hold hiring event in Pocatello amidst declining unemployment rate

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2023
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

The seasonally adjusted, preliminary unemployment rate in the Pocatello metropolitan area is currently at 3.2%, which is down 1% from the revised unemployment rate last month. This percentage rate, according to Labor economist Ryan Whitesides, is from workers returning to work from furloughs or layoffs from large-scale industrial projects.

“While total employment grew as unemployment dropped in the region, unemployment mathematically dropped a bit faster,” Whitesides said.

To help residents find jobs and employers to fine workers, the Idaho Department of Labor is holding a hiring event on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

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Challenges and opportunities for Idaho veterans

U.S. military veterans play an important role in the Idaho workforce and in their local communities. Sometimes veterans tend to be older than their nonveteran counterparts and face a unique set of challenges. Their armed services training often gives veterans specialized and transferrable skills that are marketable in the civilian economy. The employment services offered by the Idaho Department of Labor and its partner agencies also help our veteran population manage some of the challenges they face in the workforce.

Veterans demographics by the numbers

The percentage of Idahoans aged 18 and over claiming veteran status is 8.6%, about 1.3 times the national average [1]. Wartime-era veterans are represented in Figure 1. From a total of 122,000 veterans, this leaves a balance of 16,838 veterans living in Idaho who fall under the “other wartime service” category, including service in Afghanistan, the War on Terror and later conflicts.

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The Idaho Department of Labor eases job postings with hiring event in Post Falls

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 15, 2023
Media Contact: Keeler.Crawford@labor.idaho.gov

With a high demand for workers and almost 1,700 job postings in Kootenai County, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting its annual monthly hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 20 to share job opportunities.

64 different economic sectors have active job postings right now in northern Idaho. The top three categories are: delivery and messenger services; professional, scientific, and technical services; and administrative and support services. Over 35 employers attending the hiring event will be trying to fill openings in some of these industries on Wednesday.

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Labor adds three new mobile locations in northern Idaho, starting Sept. 18

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.

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Business Profile: Labor shortage not so easily solved

Economist Lisa Grigg says building more housing in north central Idaho could help fill crucial job openings in the area

This article originally was published in the Lewiston Tribune. It is republished here with permission.

By Elaine Williams, The Lewiston Tribune

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.”

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Post Falls hiring event Aug. 16 features employers hiring for multiple positions

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.

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Learn about the trades at Lewiston’s Skilled Trade Career Event, Aug. 10

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 4, 2023
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov

Out of all metropolitan areas in the Gem State, Lewiston has the highest median wages for skilled trade workers. Electricians and plumbers make up to $60,000 a year, where welders and HVAC technicians can make $50,000. With Lewiston’s growth – the population has increased by more than 500 residents each year since 2020 – the demand for skilled trades will also increase.

To help residents learn about these career fields, the Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a Skilled Trade Career event Thursday, Aug. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Attendees can explore careers in HVAC, plumbing, welding and electrical industries.

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Orofino mobile Labor location relocates today

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.

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