Category Archives: News Releases

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 →

Idaho’s July unemployment rate shows slight increase to 2.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 19, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.6% in July, up 0.1 percentage points from June.

Map: Idaho counties and July 2022 unemployment rateThe number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 3,938 people (0.4%) to 952,500. Labor force participation increased by 0.1 percentage points between June and July to 62.6%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

July’s labor force growth was caused by increases in both employed and unemployed persons. Total employment grew by 3,364 (0.4%) to 927,974 while total unemployment increased by 574 (2.4%) to 24,526.

According to Help Wanted Online, there were 63,010 online job postings in Idaho during July, equating to 2.6 job openings for every unemployed Idahoan looking for work.

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Idaho receives more than $3.9 million in funding for AmeriCorps programs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Nearly 345 AmeriCorps members will be supporting efforts to provide low-income access to health care, education and mental health services, and serving on environmental education and restoration projects throughout Idaho – all in the name of community service.

Logo: AmeriCorps IdahoIdaho’s AmeriCorps programs are funded by the federal agency AmeriCorps through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. Serve Idaho recently received a $3,930,459 grant to fund the AmeriCorps programs from 2022 to 2023. AmeriCorps members give a year of intensive service on a full-time or part-time basis. Continue reading →

Lewiston career event provides resources for job seekers to upgrade their skills for in-demand jobs

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2022
Media Contact: Lisa.Grigg@labor.idaho.gov and Stacey.Wendt@labor.idaho.gov

Job seekers who want to change careers and increase their earning potential will be able learn about jobs and training resources available at an Aug. 18 skilled trades career event focusing on welding, plumbing, electrical and HVAC industries. The event takes place from 4-6 p.m., at the Idaho Department of Labor Lewiston office, 1158 Idaho St.

Attendees will learn about pay scales, work positions and requirements for their specific field of interest from others who work in these trades.

“This event is for people who are not college bound or feel like they can’t afford the training necessary to work in their chosen field,” said Misti Sullivan, Lewiston Labor office manager.

Electricians, welders, plumbers and HVAC professionals in the Lewiston Metro Area currently get paid higher than their counterparts in other areas of the state. Electricians earn on average, an annual average wage of $77,000, welders average $52,000 annually and plumbers average $57,000 per year. Continue reading →

Governor Little appoints leaders from Shoshone and Clayton to Serve Idaho Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Gov. Brad Little appointed two new commissioners to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. The new commissioners are Karma Metzler Fitzgerald of Shoshone and Amanda Gardner of Clayton.

The two join the existing commission of 15 governor-appointed commissioners whose mission is “To inspire and recognize volunteers and empower communities through service and AmeriCorps to solve Idaho’s unmet needs.”

Photo: Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Karma Metzler Fitzgerald

Photo: Amanda Gardner

Amanda Gardner

“Ms. Metzler Fitzgerald and Ms. Gardner bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” Serve Idaho Program Manager Renee Bade said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho’s rural communities.”

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Multi-employer job fair set for Aug. 18 in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 12, 2022
Media Contact: Joe.Goitiandia@labor.idaho.gov

More than 30 Treasure Valley employers from several industries will be looking for workers at a job fair Thursday, Aug. 18, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event takes place at the Dick Eardley Senior Center, 690 N. Robbins Road, in Boise.

Participating employers include Amazon, Guerdon, City of Boise, Norco, St. Alphonsus, Darigold and many more.

Among the many open positions are paralegal, facility maintenance, operations supervisors, bus drivers, maintenance technicians, parks maintenance, financial analyst, housekeeping attendant, concierge, administrative assistant and marketing associate.

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Serve Idaho announces $375,000 in funding for AmeriCorps planning grants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 5, 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 to apply for federal funding through Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism.

A maximum of five organizations will receive funding up to $75,000 each for planning grants to explore the feasibility of operating an AmeriCorps program. These funds allow time and financial resources for organizations to determine how an AmeriCorps program and its members could help solve community problems. Priority will be given to organizations focusing on education, housing and serving rural communities, but all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Interested organizations must file a notice of intent to apply for a grant by 4 p.m. MDT on Aug. 15. The intent to apply form can be found at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. MDT.

The deadline to submit the grant application is Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. MDT.

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Idaho’s June unemployment rate remains at 2.5%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2022
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in June, unchanged from May and remaining at a historic low.Idaho map-unemployment rates by county

The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 5,190 people (0.6%) to 948,576. Labor force participation increased by 0.1 percentage points between May and June to 62.5%. Idaho’s peak participation rate reached 71.4% in September 1998.

June’s labor force growth was caused by increases in both employed and unemployed persons. Total employment grew by 4,807 (0.5%) to 924,605 while total unemployment increased by 383 (1.6%) to 23,971.

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