Category Archives: News Releases

Idaho’s December Unemployment Rate Reaches Historic Low of 2.4%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 21, 2022
Media Contact: Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.4% in December, a historic low and one-tenth of a percentage point below the state’s previous record of 2.5% in December 2019.

The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 806 people (0.1%) to 909,467 – marking the smallest over-the-month labor force gain through the last five months of 2021.

Labor force participation decreased slightly from 62.3% to 62.2% in December. The state’s participation rate dropped below the previous historic low in June 2021 and has continued decreasing in the months since – an indication of a persistently tight labor market. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

Total employment grew by 2,522 to 887,379, up 0.3%, while total unemployment dropped by 1,716 (7.2%) to 22,088. According to The Conference Board’s Help Wanted Online there were 51,765 online job openings in Idaho in December – a ratio of 2.3 openings for every unemployed Idahoan.

Idaho’s nonfarm job growth exceeded seasonal expectations in December, up 2,000 jobs (0.3%) for a total of 790,500 jobs. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include natural resources (4.9%); information (3.9%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (2.4%); durable goods manufacturing (1.6%); federal government (0.8%); professional and business services (0.5%); local government (0.4%); accommodation and food services (0.4%); and retail trade (0.3%). Continue reading →

Employer Online Seminar Jan. 26 Focuses on Discrimination in the Workplace

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 19, 2022
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

Southeastern Idaho employers are invited to attend a free Zoom seminar Jan. 26 for a discussion about discrimination in the workplace and related topics. The seminar runs from 9-10 a.m.

Rick Rhodes and Carmen Barney, senior civil rights investigators with the Idaho Human Rights Commission, will discuss types of discrimination complaints, filing and responding to claims, the mediation and resolution process and trends in state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

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Serve Idaho Announces AmeriCorps Grant Funds Available

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 3, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible for federal funding through AmeriCorps, and the deadline is approaching to apply.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, announced that interested organizations have until Feb. 11 to submit an application for the grants that would support the cost of running an AmeriCorps program. Grant awards vary in size based on the size and complexity of the AmeriCorps programs.

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Idaho Leads Country in Population Growth Rate in 2021

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 22, 2021
Media Contact: Jan Roeser, Jan.Roeser@labor.idaho.gov or Craig Shaul, Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s annual population growth from 2020 to 2021 at 2.9% led the other 49 states and Washington, D.C., in percent increase for the fifth consecutive year. The state gained 53,151 new residents – the ninth largest numeric change in the nation – for a new population estimate of 1.9 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released this week.

Idaho’s neighboring states of Utah and Montana ranked second and third respectively, each growing by 1.7%.

Domestic migration, or people moving from other states, was the primary driving component of Idaho’s population growth.

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Idaho’s November Unemployment Rate Drops to 2.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 17, 2021
Media Contact: Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov
or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

November Unemployment Rate – 2021

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in November, down 0.2 percentage points from October. 

The state’s labor force grew by 1,017 people (0.1%) to 908,676 – marking four consecutive months with over-the-month labor force increases exceeding 1,000. 

Labor force participation decreased slightly from 62.4% to 62.3% in November – a new historic low. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998. 

Total employment grew by 2,309 to 884,865, up 0.3%, while total unemployment dropped 1,292 (5.1%) to 23,811.

Idaho’s nonfarm payroll jobs exceeded seasonal expectations at 787,900 in November, up 0.1% (800 jobs) from October. Industries showing growth included arts, entertainment and recreation (6.3%); private educational services (1.5%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (1.4%); wholesale trade (1.2%); retail trade (0.3%) and health care and social services (0.2%).

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Governor Little Appoints Commissioners to Serve Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 8, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed four new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners include Kevin Bailey and Amy Little, both of Boise, Alina Rahim of Pocatello and Jordan Woods of Meridian.

The four join 14 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

“Our commissioners bring a wealth of knowledge and energy to the commission as well as first-hand knowledge of the benefits and rewards of service in our communities,” said Renee Bade, program manager for Serve Idaho.

Photo: Kevin Bailey

Kevin Bailey

Bailey was appointed as an ex-officio commissioner and is the President and CEO of the Idaho Nonprofit Center where he has overseen the organization since July 2021. He previously served as the CEO of the United Way of southeastern Idaho and has more than 10 years of nonprofit experience, including working in international development, higher education and community-based nonprofit work. Prior to moving to Idaho, Bailey served as the director of Federal Upward Bound projects for Nebraska Methodist College, the family strengthening coordinator for Catholic Charities of Omaha and worked as a teacher in both Virginia and Chile.

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Idaho Labor Seeks Youth in Need of Employment, Career, Education Support

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 22, 2021
Media Contact: Georgia Smith, georgia.smith@labor.idaho.gov

Out-of-school youth between ages 16 and 24 now have numerous opportunities to learn new skills and increase their earnings through apprenticeships, on-the-job and vocational training and much more thanks to a federal program managed by the Idaho Department of Labor.

“Qualified individuals have so many options with this program,” said Keith Whiting, career planner.

We can open doors to new skills, job opportunities and better pay!Hundreds of young people are already benefitting from the program, with more than 1,000 served during the past two years. The state of Idaho receives annual funding – around $2.8 million in 2021 – in Idaho Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds to offer these services.

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Idaho’s October Unemployment Rate Drops to 2.8%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 19, 2021
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen Jarboe Singletary, Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8% in October, down 0.1 percentage points from September.

The state’s labor force grew by 1,470 (0.2%) people to 907,622 – the second largest over-the-month increase this year. The labor force participation rate remained at 62.4%.

Total employment grew by 2,270 to 882,543, up 0.3%, while total unemployment dropped 3.2% (-800) to 25,079.

Idaho’s nonfarm payroll jobs were 1,300 below seasonal expectations at 785,700 in October, down 0.2% from 787,000 in September. Industries with fewer jobs than expected included information (-3.8%); accommodation and food services (-2.5%); transportation, warehouse and utilities (-1.1%); federal government (-0.8%); professional and business services (-0.4%); retail trade (-0.2%); and financial activities (-0.2%). Continue reading →

Idaho Volunteers Recognized with Governor Andrus Volunteer of the Year Award

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 12, 2021
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Three outstanding volunteers were recognized for their contributions to Idaho during the annual Idaho Philanthropy Day Awards held earlier this week.

Georgianne Jessen, Karma Fitzgerald and Laura Wallis all received the Governor Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award in the ceremony presented by the Idaho Nonprofit Center in partnership with Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Danielle Trujillo, executive director of the Andrus Center for Public Policy, presented the awards during the virtual ceremony. Continue reading →

Multi-Employer Hiring Event Set for Nov. 4 in Meridian

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 29, 2021
Media Contact: Joe Goitiandia, joe.goitiandia@labor.idaho.gov

Nearly 30 Idaho employers, including H&R Block, Amazon, Boise State University and many more, will be at a multi-employer hiring event Thursday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ten Mile Christian Church, 3500 W. Franklin Road in Meridian. 

Open positions include customer service representatives, retail sales associates, hospitality workers, direct support professionals, health care workers, warehouse packers and associates, and route drivers. Some positions include the opportunity to work remotely. Continue reading →