Category Archives: News Releases

Capitol Event Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. / Idaho Human Rights Day

Leave a reply

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Carmen Barney (208) 334-2873, ext. 3682

Boise State University President Marlene Tromp, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker Monday, Jan. 20 as part of the state celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Idaho Human Rights Day in Boise.

The public is invited to attend the ceremonies at the State Capitol Building 2nd floor rotunda from noon to 1 p.m., opening with a performance by the Boise State University trumpeters. The Idaho State Police Honor Guard will follow with the posting of colors.

Continue reading →

Idaho Volunteers Recognized at Brightest Stars Awards Ceremony

Leave a reply

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 16, 2020
Information Contact: Renee Bade (208) 332-3578, ext. 4061

Seventy-one outstanding volunteers from throughout Idaho were honored as stars Wednesday by Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, at Idaho’s Brightest Stars ceremony in Boise.

Dawn-Marie Johnson

Dawn-Marie Johnson of Kamiah was recognized in the Individual category.

“Volunteerism is a gift that benefits citizens and addresses needs in communities throughout our state,” said Gov. Brad Little.  “These men and women are not seeking recognition, but it is important to acknowledge these Brightest Star recipients and their generous commitment to giving to others and ensuring a bright future for all citizens.”

Jim Kinnard of Coeur d’Alene was recognized in the Student category.

The volunteers were nominated for their contributions in seven categories – Business, Individual, Nonprofit/Civic Organization, Senior Citizen, Student, Teacher/Professor and Veteran. Awardees were nominated by Idahoans throughout the state and a panel of community reviewers made
the final selection.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s November Unemployment Remains Steady at 2.9 Percent

Leave a reply

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2019
Information Contact: Craig Shaul (208) 332-3570 ext. 3201 or Robert Kabel (208) 332-3570 ext. 3886

State rate remains at or under 3 percent for two full years

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

An additional 2,221 people made themselves available for work in November, pushing Idaho’s seasonally adjusted labor force up to 886,877. The number of unemployed increased by 146 to 25,880. Total employment grew by 2,075 to 860,997.

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.

Over the year, November’s statewide labor force was up 24,330 (2.8 percent), total employment was up 22,174 (2.6 percent) and there were 2,156 more unemployed individuals. Seasonally-adjusted nonfarm jobs were up 2.7 percent from November 2018, a gain of 19,700 jobs. Professional and business services (7.2 percent) and financial activities (4.9 percent) showed the largest percentage gain while natural resources (-2.9 percent) and information (-2.3 percent) showed the largest percentage losses.

Continue reading →

Idaho Workers See Increase in Fringe Benefits from 2013 to 2019

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.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s October Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

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.

Continue reading →

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

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.

Continue reading →

Idaho Human Rights Commission Launches Language Access Plan

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.

Continue reading →

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

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.

Continue reading →

Idaho Job Corps Program to Begin Offering Services for Students

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.

Continue reading →

Idaho’s September Unemployment Unchanged at 2.9 Percent

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.

Continue reading →