Category Archives: News Releases

Oct. 30 webinar will educate Idaho employers on the unemployment insurance process

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 23, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about the unemployment insurance (UI) process from the Idaho Department of Labor during a free Zoom webinar, Thursday, Oct. 30, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. MT.

Adjudication Supervisor Eric Erickson will discuss in detail the different employee separations (laid off, discharged or quit), separation documentation, investigating unemployment claims, determining claim outcomes, chargeability and liability, claimant eligibility, employer attachment and using E-services.

Register for the event here.

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Employers in northern Idaho hiring at event, Oct. 15

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 8, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event in Post Falls, Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event takes place at the department’s Post Falls office located at 600 N. Thornton St.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Hilton Grand Vacations, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Kootenai Company, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, North Idaho Dental Personnel, Paul Mitchell the School, All Ways Caring HomeCare and others.

Bring a resume and dress for success to interview for positions like shop mechanics, cashiers, agents, registered nurses, security dispatch supervisors and more.

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Kick off your job search in Caldwell, Oct. 2

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 25, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting its fourth annual Fall Kickoff Hiring Event in Caldwell, Thursday, Oct. 2, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The event takes place at the department’s Caldwell office located at 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

A variety of employers from the government and private sector will be in attendance including Amalgamated Sugar, Gem County, Idaho Division of Human Resources, Shore Lodge Whitetail Club, Franklin Building Supply, Bogus Basin and more.

Bring a resume and dress for success to interview for positions like assistant chief bakery engineer, physical therapist, electrical inspector and more.

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Learn how Idaho’s cost of living and affordability impact the labor force

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 23, 2025
Media Contact: Seth.Harrington@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Seth Harrington will share how Idaho’s cost of living is impacting the labor force at a webinar, Tuesday, Sept. 30.

According to United for Alice, four in 10 Idaho households can’t afford the basics of housing, food, child care and health care – even though many earn above the poverty line.

“While Idaho’s poverty rate is the 15th lowest in the nation and unemployment remains low, many Idahoans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living,” Harrington said. “Poverty and the rising costs of living have had significant impacts on the labor force, from reduced labor mobility to growing the urban and rural divide.”

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Idaho’s unemployment rate remains at 3.7% in August

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 19, 2025
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between July and August, staying at 3.7%.

August’s labor force decreased by 627 (0.1%) people to 1,009,419 while the labor force participation rate – the percentage of people 16 years or older who are either employed or looking for work – decreased by 0.1 percentage point between July and August, down to 63.1%.

Total employment decreased by 778 (-0.1%) to 972,377 and unemployment increased by 151 (0.4%) to 37,042. Continue reading →

Meet around 30 hiring employers at Post Falls event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 12, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Employers like Ace Industrial Supply, Buck Knives, and Coeur d’Alene Public Schools will be among more than 30 employers looking for workers at a hiring event in Post Falls next week.

The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Labor Post Falls office, 600 N. Thornton St.

All Ways Caring HomeCare, Behavior Health Group,  the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Equus Workforce Solutions, Hilton Grand Vacations, Idaho Division of Veterans Services, Inland Chess Academy and others will also attend this free event. Continue reading →

Hiring event gives networking opportunity to job seekers in the Treasure Valley

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 4, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Sept. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus, 11351 W. Chinden Blvd., in Boise.

Job seekers are expected to arrive at Building 6 in the conference room.

Employers planning to attend include Boise State University, Idaho Bankers Association, Idaho Transportation Department, Piedmont Airlines, Easterseals-Goodwill, Franklin Sensors, Dabella, Express Employment Professionals, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Human Resources, Block 22, Ada County Highway District and more.

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Governor recognizes Oakley volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 29, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A volunteer from Oakley received recognition for his service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Thursday Aug. 28.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, proudly recognized Blake Matthews with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for his exceptional volunteer service.

Matthews’ volunteer commitment is rooted in family tradition, beginning with his grandfather’s involvement in the Oakley Vigilantes. This year, when leadership was unavailable, he stepped forward to lead Oakley Pioneer Days, a community celebration dating back to the late 1800s. Continue reading →

Idaho’s average hourly wage increases 5.1% in 2024

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 25, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s average wage for all occupations in 2024 was $28.10 per hour, according to recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) program. This amounts to an increase of 5.1%, or $1.35 per hour, from 2023.

The median wage, representing the midpoint between lowest and highest earners, also rose from $21.27 per hour in 2023 to $22.34 per hour in 2024 — a 5% increase over the year.

Six out of seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in Idaho had average and median wage increases in 2024. The Pocatello MSA experienced the largest increase with both average and median hourly wage growing by over $2 per hour. Continue reading →

ICONIC program offers construction training in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 21, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Free training is available for Idahoans wanting to pursue a career in heavy equipment operation in Boise, Oct. 6 to Nov. 7.

The five-week intensive course involves a mix of classroom and hands-on learning.

The Idaho Career Opportunities – Next in Construction (ICONIC) program is a path to a rewarding career in highway construction. Most graduates who participate in the program go on to obtain their commercial driver’s license to operate heavy vehicles.

Certifications in flagging and safety are also options to graduates.

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