Category Archives: News Releases

Idaho Workers See Increase in Fringe Benefits from 2013 to 2019

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 18, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Salvador Vazquez (208) 332-3570 ext. 3218

In the six years from 2013 to 2019, Idaho employers offered more benefits to a higher percentage of full-time workers than in previous years, according to results of the 2019 Fringe Benefits Survey conducted by the Idaho Department of Labor.

Periodically, the department conducts surveys of Idaho employers on the benefits they offer to their employees beyond wages and salaries. These include health, dental, retirement and paid leave benefits.

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Idaho’s October Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 15, 2019
Information Contact: Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215 or Darlene Carnopis (208) 332-3570 ext. 3439

— 23 Months at or Under 3 Percent —

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in October for the fourth consecutive month.

An additional 2,438 people made themselves available for work in October, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 884,545. The number of unemployed increased by 112 to 25,736. Total employment grew by 2,326 to 858,809.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – remained unchanged at 64.1 percent.

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U.S. Department of Labor Recognizes Three Idaho Businesses for Supporting Veterans

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 8, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

LA Aluminum Casting Company of Hayden, Sunterra Supports Services LLC of Idaho Falls and Intermountain Polygraph Services of Twin Falls each received a 2019 HIRE Vets Medallion Program Demonstration Award. The U.S. Department of Labor program recognizes job creators for their leadership in recruiting, employing and retaining America’s veterans.

The awards were presented Nov. 6 at a ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

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Idaho Human Rights Commission Launches Language Access Plan

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2019
Information Contact: Benjamin Earwicker, (208) 344-2873 ext. 4055

The Idaho Human Rights Commission has launched a new Language Access Plan to ensure speakers of all languages, especially individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), have access to the commission’s processes and services.

Assistance for limited English proficient customers include:

  • Bilingual staff: Five commission employees are fluent in Spanish and English and available to assist individuals over the phone or in person during normal business hours.
  • Over the phone interpreting: The commission provides customer access to live professional interpreters over the phone for more than 200 languages.
  • Written translation: Individuals can request help with interpretation or translating essential documents, which include written materials critical for accessing commission programs and services.
  • Materials/brochures: Informational brochures are currently available in English and Spanish.

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Idaho Department of Labor Releases Service Plan for Meridian and McCall Areas

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

The Idaho Department of Labor has implemented its new service model in the Meridian and McCall areas, providing direct mobile services to eight communities.

Labor staff will offer walk-in hours and appointment times in these communities with the same services staff have traditionally provided. Those include resume writing, applying for jobs, filing for unemployment insurance benefits, mock interviews, connections to community resources, job training assistance and more. Staff will also continue to serve businesses with listing open jobs, collecting applications, connecting to resources and assisting with recruitment.

Jani Revier, Labor director, said many citizens who have not traditionally had easy access to in-person Labor services should be better served by this model.

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Idaho Job Corps Program to Begin Offering Services for Students

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 22, 2019
Information Contact: Tina Polishchuk, (208) 442-4520

The Idaho Job Corps program will begin offering services for its first group of students today, Oct. 22, at the Centennial Job Corps facility, located in Nampa.

The program is funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, awarded to the Idaho Department of Labor, to serve income-eligible youth age 16-24 by connecting them to training and workplace opportunities.

“This demonstration project between the Department of Labor and the state of Idaho is intended to meet the specific workforce needs of the state and take Job Corps into the future,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “Welcoming students to their program marks an important moment in this new endeavor, and the Department of Labor is rooting for the success of each and every student who arrives to take control of his or her future.”

Students could be enrolled in the program 3-24 months, depending on their career trajectory, and the goal of the program is to place every student into a sustainable job by the time they graduate from the program.

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Idaho’s September Unemployment Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 18, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Karen Jarboe Singletary (208) 332-3570 ext. 3215

Nonfarm Job Growth Second Highest in the Nation

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 2.9 percent in September for the third consecutive month.

An additional 2,906 people made themselves available for work in September, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 882,214. The number of unemployed increased by 136 to 25,626. Total employment grew by 2,770 to 856,588.

Idaho’s labor force participation rate – the percentage of people age 16 years or older working or looking for work – has been slowly increasing since June 2019 and reached 64.1 percent in September.

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Federal Training Funds Available for Former Connexions Loyalty Workers

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 8, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

Connexions Loyalty employees who lost their jobs when the Boise facility closed earlier this year can now apply for benefits and job search services through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.

Approximately 175 Connexions Loyalty employees as well as on-site leased workers from Aerotek lost their jobs with the closure of Connexions Loyalty in Boise. Workers were notified in September 2018 that the company would be closing the location no later than February 2019. This triggered the filing of a Trade Act petition with the U.S. Department of Labor, which investigated the matter and determined the workers were eligible for assistance under the Act.

Affected workers should contact their local Idaho Department of Labor office for more information.

The Trade Act is a federally funded program that aids U.S. workers who have lost, or may lose, their jobs due to foreign trade. The program seeks to provide reemployment assistance through a variety of activities including out-of-area job search, relocation assistance, multiple training options and other resources.

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Idaho Department of Labor Releases Magic Valley Area Service Plan

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 7, 2019
Information Contact: Georgia Smith, (208) 332-3570 ext. 2102

The Idaho Department of Labor has implemented its new service model in the Magic Valley area, providing direct mobile services to five communities.

Labor staff will offer walk-in hours and appointment times in all five communities with the same services staff have traditionally provided. Those include resume writing, applying for jobs, filing for unemployment insurance benefits, mock interviews, connections to community resources, job training assistance and more. Staff will also continue to serve businesses with listing open jobs, collecting applications, connecting to resources and assisting with recruitment.

Jani Revier, Labor director, said many rural citizens who have not traditionally had easy access to in-person Labor services should be better served by this model.

“Our new model is a positive development for scores of rural Idahoans who have faced burdensome travel requirements to meet with Idaho Department of Labor personnel in person,” Revier said. “We are now offering face-to-face services in more cities and towns than ever before thanks to the generosity of community organizations kindly offering space, and we will continue to provide service opportunities to all corners of the state.”

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More than 500 Job Openings Available at Post Falls Hiring Event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 3, 2019
Information Contact: Stacey Hanlon, (208) 457-8789 ext. 3947

Sixty employers from northern Idaho and Spokane are set to attend the fall hiring event on Wednesday, Oct. 9, in Post Falls, hosted by the Idaho Department of Labor.

Employers will be recruiting for more than 500 immediate openings with full-time, part-time and seasonal work available across multiple industries.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Real Life Ministries, 1866 N Cecil Road in Post Falls.

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