Category Archives: News Releases

Department of Labor names new economist for eastern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 7, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Photo: Ryan WhitesidesRyan Whitesides is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for eastern Idaho. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Whitesides’ area includes covering Butte, Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Lemhi, Madison, Jefferson and Teton counties.

Whitesides received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Weber State University in 2002 and is returning to Idaho after living and working in Tampa Bay, Florida. He has also lived and worked in the greater New York City, Chicago and Salt Lake City metro areas.

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Department of Labor names new economist for south central Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 7, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Photo: Seth HarringtonSeth Harrington is the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for south central Idaho, covering Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln and Twin Falls counties. He replaces the previous economist, Bonang Seoela.

Harrington earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg last April.

He has interned with the BYU-Idaho Research and Business Development Center, the Washington State Employment Securities Department and The Indra Foundation located in Nepal. Harrington is a native of Vancouver, Washington.

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Idaho Labor offices throughout the state help veterans gain their postsecondary education

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Nov. 2, 2022
Media Contact: Georgia.Smith@labor.idaho.gov

Steve, a retired veteran from the Idaho National Guard, didn’t think attending a job fair would change his life.

But it did. In an amazing way.

To get there, Steve reached out to Kenneth Scott, an Idaho Department of Labor veterans’ representative in Post Falls who provided him with the tools he needed to reach his career goals.

Nowadays, Steve is seen regularly at recruiting events representing Heritage Health in an HR role. He recruits veterans, just like him, for jobs with his employer. He says Idaho Labor’s support made a huge difference in his life.

And he’s not the only veteran, or spouse of a veteran, who may be eligible to receive this kind of support with finding a job.

PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

With 116,000 veterans scattered around Idaho, they reside in various counties. According to the 2020 five-year American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, the top 10 counties with the largest share of the population include Elmore (22.1%), Adams (16.6%), Clearwater (14.7%), Lemhi (14.3%), Boise (13.6%), Benewah (13.0%), Gem (12.5%), Bonner (11.9%), Idaho (11.7%) and Lewis (11.7%).

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Idahoans receive awards for volunteerism and philanthropy

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 21, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Volunteers and philanthropists from across Idaho will be honored at the Idaho Philanthropy Day virtual award ceremony on Nov. 15.

Idaho Philanthropy Day“Volunteering is an important aspect of the Idaho way of life. Every year, we take time to honor our neighbors who donate time and talent to help their communities thrive,” Gov. Brad Little said.

Winners were chosen by the Idaho Philanthropy Day judges after studying each nomination to decide which ones best encompass the spirit of philanthropy including time, talent, treasure and involvement in the community.

All winners for each category have been published except the Gov. Cecil D. Andrus Volunteer of the Year award, which will be announced live at each celebration. The list of winners can be found at IdahoNonprofits.org.

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Idaho’s September unemployment rate sees slight uptick to 2.8%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 21, 2022
Media Contact: Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov or John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up from 2.7% in August to 2.8% in September – the eighth consecutive month the state rate has been below 3%.

Idaho county map-September unemployment rates by countySeptember’s labor force saw gains in both employed and unemployed workers. The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 2,938 people (0.3%) to 959,734. Total employment grew by 1,714 (0.2%) to 932,813. The total number of unemployed increased by 1,224 (4.8%) to 26,921. Labor force participation remained at 62.7%.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs exceeded seasonal expectations in September, showing an adjusted increase of 3,000 jobs to 828,400. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include information (4.9%); arts, entertainment and recreation (4.5%); private educational services (2.8%); other services (2%); nondurable goods manufacturing (1.9%); real estate and rental and leasing (1.0%); construction (0.8%); local government (0.8%); healthcare and social services (0.7%); transportation, warehousing and utilities (0.6%); and durable goods manufacturing (0.5%).

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Kremer of Serve Idaho receives national leadership award

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 27, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho Commission Vice Chair Charlette (Char) Kremer of Lewiston recently was named the 2022 Outstanding Commissioner of the year by America’s Service Commissions. The award was presented virtually at the association’s annual Innovation and Leadership Award ceremony Sept. 22.

Photo: Charlette Kremer

Charlette Kremer

Kremer was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to serve on the commission in 2014. She previously served as the Director of Lewis-Clark Service Corps, a statewide AmeriCorps program that hosted 120 members who provided tutoring and mentoring across Idaho. An AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America alumna, she served from 2005 – 2007 with Lewis-Clark Service Corps where she developed the student volunteer recruitment program and established the Community Warriors Volunteer Center.

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Sept. 28 job fair in Caldwell offers free burgers, lots of job opportunities

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Monico.Sanchez@labor.idaho.gov

Job seekers are invited to kick off the fall hiring season during a career fair scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Canyon County Department of Labor office parking lot, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St. in Caldwell.

The first 150 job seekers who show up will have their choice of a free hamburger or cheeseburger courtesy of CS Beef Packers, United States Bakery (Franz) and Sorrento Lactalis Inc.

Other employers attending include the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Boise State University, EquusWorks, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho Milk Transport, Simplot and many more. The employers planning to attend report having more than 500 open jobs to fill. Positions available range from bus drivers, construction workers, direct care providers, machine operators, teachers, welders and more.

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AmeriCorps funding available for public health programs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2022
Media Contact: Dan Cabrera, Danilo.Cabrera@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism is accepting grant applications for Public Health AmeriCorps programs.

Earlier this year, Public Health AmeriCorps, a $400 million American Rescue Plan partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was launched as a way to recruit, train and develop of a new generation of public health leaders.

The 2023 grant competition focuses on programs addressing community public health needs, including health inequities made worse by the ongoing pandemic. The competition is open to nonprofit, faith-based, tribal and community-based organizations; higher-education institutions; state, local and territorial government entities; and local public health departments. Organizations that have not yet received AmeriCorps funding are encouraged to apply.

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Idaho’s August unemployment rate increases slightly to 2.7%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 16, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Labor force expands by 4% over the year

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.7% in August, up 0.1 percentage points from July – the seventh consecutive month Idaho has been below 3%.

August’s labor force growth saw increases in both employed and unemployed persons. The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 4,384 people (0.5%) to 956,785. Total employment grew by 3,103 (0.3%) to 931,077 while total unemployment increased by 1,281 (5.2%) to 25,708.

Labor force participation increased by 0.1 percentage points between July and August to 62.7%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

Idaho’s nonfarm jobs met seasonal expectations in August, showing an adjusted increase of only 200 jobs to 822,600. Industry sectors with the greatest over-the-month gains include transportation, warehousing and utilities (0.9%); arts, entertainment and recreation (0.6%); and construction (0.5%). Continue reading →

Aug. 31 online seminar focuses on no-cost support for Idaho small businesses

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 25, 2022
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

An overview of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is on the agenda for a free Zoom employer seminar Aug. 31 from 9 to 10 a.m. hosted by the Idaho Department of Labor’s Pocatello office.

The seminar will be led by Ann Swanson, regional director for the southeast Idaho SBDC in Pocatello. Her expertise includes business planning and strategy, financing, marketing plans, competitor analysis and cybersecurity. Continue reading →