Category Archives: News Releases

Homedale Labor mobile location open to support Idaho job seekers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 26, 2023
Media Contact: Robert.Vetter@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor has a new mobile location to further support residents in Owyhee County. The Homedale mobile location is open every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Gypsy Jackson Memorial Library. A workforce consultant will be on site.

Services from a workforce consultant include support in looking for a new job, such as writing resumes, filling out job applications and preparing for a job interview. All mobile locations help job seekers access training resources.

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Idaho’s December unemployment rate down slightly to 2.9%

NEWS RELEASEIdaho Department of Labor. Brad Little, Governor. Jani Revier, Director.

For Immediate Release: Jan. 20, 2023
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.9% in December, edging down from 3% in November.

December’s labor force – workers who are employed or unemployed but looking for work – increased by 587 people (0.1%) to 963,957, the smallest increase since the previous December’s decline of 100 (-0.01%).

With the labor force growing at a slower pace than the civilian population, Idaho’s labor force participation decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 62.4%.

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AmeriCorps members unite to serve in honor of Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 12, 2023
Media Contact: Micaela de Loyola-Carkin, Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov, (208) 332-3578 ext. 4042

Monday, Jan. 16, marks a national day of service when Americans are encouraged to volunteer for projects in their communities. To honor and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr./Idaho Human Rights Day, Serve Idaho AmeriCorps members are planning to volunteer around the community in many ways.

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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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Idaho human rights groups will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 9, 2022
Media Contact: Theresa Hardy, Theresa.Hardy@labor.idaho.gov, (208) 334-2873 ext. 3987

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke will join former State Senator Cherie Buckner-Webb for the 36th annual Idaho Human Rights/Martin Luther King Day celebration in the Idaho State Capitol, Monday, Jan. 16 at noon.

Lt. Gov. Bedke and Buckner-Webb will be accompanied by the Boise State University trumpeters and Ballet Folklórico México Lindo, a community based Mexican folkdance group located in Nampa, Idaho. Danza Azteca Tonatiuh will also perform.

Buckner-Webb serves on many local and national boards and is the recipient of numerous awards in acknowledgement for civic, state and national service. She is a founding board member of the Idaho Black History Museum, winner of the HP Human Rights Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service and more.

Lt. Gov. Bedke was elected in November 2022 after serving nine terms as a state representative in the Idaho Legislature, most recently as speaker of the house.

The public is invited to attend the one-hour event. All activities will be centered on the second floor of the Capitol Rotunda.

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The Idaho Human Rights Commission enforces state and federal anti-discrimination laws in Idaho and provides mediation services to resolve complaints. The Commission also provides free training for businesses and organizations throughout the state. Learn more at https://humanrights.idaho.gov/.

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Serve Idaho announces AmeriCorps grant funding opportunity

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 5, 2023
Media Contact: Kim Empey, Kimberly.Empey@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible for federal funding for community service projects through AmeriCorps.

Interested organizations have until Feb. 10 to submit an application for a grant to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. A notice of intent to apply for a grant must be filed by Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. MST. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. MST.

Organizations interested in applying must identify their community need, then design and implement an AmeriCorps program that leverages people power as a solution. Organizations receiving funds are responsible for recruiting, training and managing AmeriCorps members to deliver those services.

Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps provide funding for the following focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military families.

Grant awards vary in amount based on the size, complexity and cost of running an AmeriCorps program.

Learn more about this grant opportunity at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/.

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In 2021, AmeriCorps committed more than $5.2 million to support Idaho communities through AmeriCorps initiatives. This federal investment leveraged more than $1.2 million in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support and increase return on taxpayer dollars.

Serve Idaho is a division of the Idaho Department of Labor and the state’s AmeriCorps programs is administered by the Serve Idaho Commission. Serve Idaho is funded in part by the federal agency AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.

For information about Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps service opportunities visit serveidaho.gov

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Serve Idaho is supported by AmeriCorps. A total of $4,519,228, or 61%, of the program is financed with federal funds, and $2,893,430, or 39%, is funded by local support.

Idaho 7th youngest state in the nation, swapping spots with Nebraska

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2022
Media Contact: Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho continues to be one of the youngest states in the nation with a median age of 36.8 years, ranking seventh according to recently released results from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017-2021 American Community Survey.

This is an increase of 3.1% from the previous Census demographic survey, which covered the 2012-2016 population of the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico’s median age grew the fastest at 9.4% and North Dakota was the slowest with no change.

Other data on age, workforce characteristics, income, migration, and housing and households reveal more information about Idaho’s populace.

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Idaho’s November unemployment rate up slightly to 3%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 16, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3% in November, edging up from October’s 2.9%.

November’s labor force – which is composed of both employed and unemployed workers — increased by 1,930 people (0.2%) to 963,380. Total employment increased by 1,474 (0.2%) to 934,756. The total number of people unemployed and looking for work increased by 456 (1.6%) to 28,624.

Labor force participation decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 62.5% as the civilian population increased at a faster rate than the labor force.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs increased by 500 to 827,400 in November. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include arts, entertainment and recreation (4.8%); private educational services (1.4%); construction (1.3%); state government (0.9%); and health care and social services (0.7%).

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Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism seeking commission applicants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 6, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is seeking applicants from across the state to serve a three-year term.

The commission is seeking the following individuals:

  • A representative from a local labor organization.
  • A representative from a local Indian tribe.
  • A representative from higher education.
  • A representative from the volunteer sector.
  • A representative with experience in promoting the involvement of older adults (ages 55 and older) in volunteer service.

Gov. Little will select and appoint members. To learn more about commissioner requirements visit Serve Idaho Resources.

All interested applicants should contact Renee Bade at renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov for application information. Applications must be submitted to Serve Idaho by Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, for consideration.

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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.