Category Archives: News Releases

Survey highlights improvement in Idahoans’ economic situation

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 22, 2023
Media ContactJan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

The number of Idahoans with healthcare insurance in 2022 increased from 89.2% to 91.8% compared to pre-pandemic data for 2019, according to the recently released American Community Survey (ACS).

Nearly all of Idaho’s larger counties reported a greater share of the population covered by healthcare insurance, except for Bonneville County.

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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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Businesses will learn about unemployment insurance benefits at Sept. 27 seminar

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.

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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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Idaho’s August unemployment rate increases to 3%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 15, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or
John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased in August, rising by two-tenths of a percent from 2.8% in July to 3%. This is the first time the state’s unemployment rate has been at or above 3% since November 2021.

August’s labor force increased by 1,874 people (0.2%) to 967,145.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years of age or older who are employed or looking for work if unemployed – remained at 62.4% in August.

Total employment was effectively unchanged with an increase of 121 to 938,190 while unemployment increased by 1,753 (6.4%) to 28,955.

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Top Idaho employer concerns revealed in inaugural survey

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.

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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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Serve Idaho: AmeriCorps members and alums “Unite in Service” to Honor 9/11 Day in the Magic Valley

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2023
Media Contact: micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov

AmeriCorps and Serve Idaho Commission members and staff will come together in Jerome, Shoshone, Twin Falls and Gooding to participate in the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. The two groups will lead the community and encourage participation in a month-long donation drive to benefit Project Succeed, which distributes school supplies to teachers in the Magic Valley.

Donations for Project Succeed can be dropped off at the following locations between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. between Sept. 8 – 30.

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Labor’s Sept. 12 webinar will focus on Idaho’s veteran population

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 6, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

According to the U.S Census Bureau, there were 122,331 veterans living in Idaho in 2021, or 8.6% of the total adult population. Quite a few re-enter the workforce after their service.

Two Idaho Department of Labor economists, Matthew Paskash and Ryan Whitesides, will present labor market information on the state’s veteran population and desirable workforce traits of veterans at a free webinar, Tuesday Sept. 12. Continue reading