Category Archives: News Releases

AmeriCorps Members Celebrated for Their Contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

This week Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism celebrated the valuable contributions of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors who pledge to “get things done” for our nation as part of the annual AmeriCorps Week.

Throughout the week Serve Idaho highlighted members from across the state on social media, showcasing the impact they are making in communities throughout Idaho. Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation declaring the week “AmeriCorps Week,” and members were recognized for their contributions by local organizations. The weeklong celebration also honors the contributions and support of thousands of local organizations that make AmeriCorps programs possible.

In Idaho, approximately 900 AmeriCorps members serve each year in communities from Bonners Ferry to Montpelier. Programs such as Idaho HealthCorps run by Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health provide health screenings and health education for Idaho’s rural communities, while programs such as the University of Idaho’s Idaho Positive Youth Development Program work with the 4-H extension offices across the state to engage students in afterschool STEAM education. Members serving with the North Idaho Senior Companions Program, sponsored by the Panhandle Health District, provide much needed companionship and respite care to the elderly and disabled.

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Idaho’s January Unemployment Rate Drops to 3%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 14, 2022
Media Contact: Karen.JarboeSingletary@labor.idaho.gov or Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3% in January – down slightly from a revised December rate of 3.1%. Due to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual benchmarking process, December 2021’s unemployment rate was revised from a record low 2.4%. This realignment of labor market variables is not an indicator of any negative directional changes in the state’s economy.

The number of Idahoans employed or looking for work grew by 2,743 people (0.3%) to 924,469 – a larger over-the-month increase than during any month of 2021.

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Magic Valley Hiring Expo Set for March 8

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 2, 2022
Media Contact: Oscar Escobedo, Oscar.Escobedo@labor.idaho.gov

More than 40 employers are participating in the Magic Valley Hiring Expo March 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event takes place at Canyon Ridge High School, 300 N. College Road W., in Twin Falls.

Employers are ready to hire workers in production, general labor, maintenance, food service, retail, health care, administrative and sales. Continue reading →

AmeriCorps Volunteers Help Idaho Organizations Build Capacity

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 1, 2022
Media Contact: Renee Bade, renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov

Applications Open for AmeriCorps VISTA Project

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible to host an AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) member who can assist in building organizational capacity. Capacity building activities may include fundraising, grant writing, research and volunteer recruitment.

Interested organizations must submit an application to Serve Idaho, The Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism by March 18 at 4 p.m. MST. A training and technical assistance call will be held for interested applicants on March 8 at 10 a.m. MST.

Preference will be given to organizations who serve impoverished, rural or otherwise at-risk youth, and community members and programs that focus on economic opportunity, which includes financial literacy, employment and housing.  Continue reading →

Department of Labor Names New Economist for Southeastern Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 24, 2022
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, craig.shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Matthew Paskash has been named the new Idaho Department of Labor regional labor economist for southeastern Idaho, covering Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power counties. He replaces the previous economist, Esther Eke.

Paskash is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he earned a Master of Science in economics and completed some coursework towards a Ph.D. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, minoring in mathematics, philosophy, sociology and Spanish from Indiana University Northwest where he worked as an undergraduate tutor and research assistant.

Originally from northwest Indiana, Paskash suspended studies while attending Valparaiso University, spending several years as a direct support professional for the developmentally disabled, an automotive technician and a barista.

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Department of Labor Names New Economist for North Central Idaho

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 24, 2022
Media Contact: Craig Shaul, craig.shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Lisa Grigg recently joined the Idaho Department of Labor as the regional economist for north central Idaho, covering Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties. She succeeds Kathryn Tacke, who died in July. Tacke had been an Idaho Labor regional labor economist for northern and north central Idaho since 1988.Photo: Lisa Grigg

Grigg holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from Eastern Washington University.  After 10 years as an investment officer for the Washington State Investment Board, she moved to northern Idaho to establish a family-run artisan winery in the Lewis-Clark Valley.

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Area Employers Seek Drivers for Big Rigs, Buses, Delivery Vehicles and more, Feb. 24 in Caldwell

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 18, 2021
Media Contact for event: Stefanie Wells, (208) 365-7781 ext. 3384
Media Contact for trucking industry information: Jan Roeser, (208) 332-3570 ext. 3639

Men and women interested in a truck driving career can get a look at some of the rigs they could end up driving at the Caldwell Trucking Job Fair, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon.

photo: semi trailer truckThe event will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Caldwell office, 4514 Thomas Jefferson St. in Caldwell.

Big rigs, dump trucks, delivery vans and more will be on display in the office parking lot. One employer is bringing a big truck simulator so job seekers can get a feel for what it’s like to drive a big rig.

Employers offering employment and training opportunities include Ada County Highway District, Knight Transportation, Tawnika Trucking, Sage Truck Driving, Schwan’s and several more.

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Feb. 23 Online Seminar Features the Benefits of Labor Market Information for Businesses

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 15, 2021
Media Contact: Clinton.Renn@labor.idaho.gov

Southeastern Idaho employers are invited to a free Zoom seminar Feb. 23 exploring labor market information and what it can mean for employers. The seminar runs from 9-10 a.m.

Discussion will focus on components of the labor market, current trends in the region, state and the U.S., labor market shortages and a tour of the Department’s labor market information website – lmi.idaho.gov.

In addition, employers will meet Matthew Paskash, Idaho Department of Labor’s new labor economist for southeastern Idaho, covering Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida and Power counties. He replaces the previous economist, Esther Eke.

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Boise Multi-Employer Job Fair Set for Feb. 2

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 25, 2022
Media Contact: Joe Goitiandia, joe.goitiandia@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Labor is hosting a multi-employer job fair Feb. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Express, 475 W. Parkcenter Blvd., in Boise.

Job seekers can meet with many area employers representing a variety of industries hiring for jobs such as production workers, warehouse associates, merchandisers, material handlers, electricians, maintenance mechanics, production operators, route sales representatives, caregivers, housekeepers, customer service representatives, bus drivers, equipment operators, receiving coordinators and  administrative staff.

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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 →