Category Archives: Uncategorized

The present and future of broadband in Idaho

High-speed internet, or broadband internet, once seen as a luxury service, is now understood to be a critical utility that brings equitable economic opportunity to many.

Broadband not only brings social connectivity, but can raise property values, increase job opportunities, boost education access and expand health outcomes through telehealth. [1] However, the difference in access between urban and rural America continues and was especially apparent once the pandemic set in.

This gap, known as the “digital divide,” is a gap rural America is all too familiar with. From 2017-2021, rural households in Idaho have seen smaller percentage increases in internet subscriptions (1.3% fewer) and computing devices (0.5% fewer) than urban households. With the pandemic highlighting this issue to a broader audience, lawmakers are working on closing this gap, increasing economic opportunities for rural households.

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Summer job opportunities available for teens May 13

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2023
Media Contact: Janalee.Henderson@labor.idaho.gov

Teens and young adults (ages 16 and older) are invited to connect with employers about summer job opportunities Saturday, May 13.

Boise and Meridian employers will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Galaxy Event Center at Wahooz Family Fun Zone, 1385 S. Blue Marlin Lane, to interview teens for job openings.

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Small state plays significant role in mineral mining: The geo-economic impact of Idaho’s critical metals and rare earths mining

The mining of rare earth and critical mineral deposits within the state’s economy is part of an ongoing research series by the Idaho Department of Labor on how Idaho is affected by the geo-economic and geo-political interrelationships. The Idaho Geological Survey, labor market analysis, as well as environmental and economic impact scenarios of the state’s mining sector will also be examined.

Part 1

High atop Idaho’s picturesque Salmon-Challis national forest sits the Cobalt Belt of Idaho, an important mining district for some of the world’s critical minerals and rare earth elements. This special grouping of locally mined esoteric minerals has noteworthy economic, geologic, political, technical and environmental dimensions of availability [1].

View the author’s webinar presentation about the importance of rare earth elements on Idaho’s labor market on Idaho Labor’s YouTube page.

“Critical minerals” is an early 20th-century military-industrial term still in use and revamped for the 21st-century green economy [2]. Critical minerals mining in Idaho’s Cobalt Belt and other parts of the state is seeing a resurgence as the nation moves toward energy self-sufficiency with select natural resources. Some of the raw materials like cobalt and antimony are needed to store energy in electric vehicle batteries, among many other technological applications, and they are found exclusively in Idaho mines and nowhere else in the United States. Continue reading →

Malad volunteers recognized for community contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 28, 2023
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Photo: Gov. Brad Little , Patti Jones and Mark Jones, Farhana Hibbert.

Gov. Brad Little presented Idaho’s Brightest Star award to a pair of volunteers from Malad. Pictured left to right are the two honorees, Patti Jones and Mark Jones, Serve Idaho Commissioner Farhana Hibbert.and Gov. Little.

Two volunteers from Malad were honored for their service as part of the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little Thursday.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, recognized Patti and Mark Jones of Malad with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for their exemplary volunteer service. The couple serves at multiple organizations including the Malad Senior Center, Heritage Square, Red Cross, the Idaho Farm Bureau and their church. The Oneida Crisis Center nominated the couple for the extensive work they do in supporting Carol’s Pantry, a local food pantry providing much needed relief for residents of the area.

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Recruiting, retaining baby boomers brings value to nonprofit organizations

Baby boomers are typically hard-working individuals, resourceful, experienced and they value relationships, according to research from Indeed.com. These and other characteristics make them ideal for volunteer opportunities.

This age group, generally classified as ages 59-77, are often retired and looking to volunteer at organizations where they can make an impact and use their skills. To broaden an organization’s scope of skills consider recruiting older volunteers (55 and older) who are experienced, highly responsible and will commit long-term to an organization. In order to attract this demographic, there are some key factors the organization can focus on to recruit and retain these volunteers.

Recruitment

When recruiting baby boomers emphasize the organizations’ values and impact on the community. To do so, consider the best way to reach volunteers who are 55 and older.

For non-profits in an area with limited internet access consider advertising. Look to the local newspaper or a free ads paper, like the Penny Saver. To get the word out, consider hosting a get-to-know the organization session or ask to share information volunteer opportunities with the local senior center or church.

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Serve Idaho announces AmeriCorps grant funding opportunity

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 5, 2023
Media Contact: Kim Empey, Kimberly.Empey@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho nonprofit, educational, community and faith-based organizations, Indian tribes and local governments are eligible for federal funding for community service projects through AmeriCorps.

Interested organizations have until Feb. 10 to submit an application for a grant to Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. A notice of intent to apply for a grant must be filed by Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. MST. A mandatory technical assistance call will be held Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. MST.

Organizations interested in applying must identify their community need, then design and implement an AmeriCorps program that leverages people power as a solution. Organizations receiving funds are responsible for recruiting, training and managing AmeriCorps members to deliver those services.

Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps provide funding for the following focus areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military families.

Grant awards vary in amount based on the size, complexity and cost of running an AmeriCorps program.

Learn more about this grant opportunity at https://serve.idaho.gov/grantsfunding/.

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In 2021, AmeriCorps committed more than $5.2 million to support Idaho communities through AmeriCorps initiatives. This federal investment leveraged more than $1.2 million in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support and increase return on taxpayer dollars.

Serve Idaho is a division of the Idaho Department of Labor and the state’s AmeriCorps programs is administered by the Serve Idaho Commission. Serve Idaho is funded in part by the federal agency AmeriCorps and the Idaho Department of Labor.

For information about Serve Idaho and AmeriCorps service opportunities visit serveidaho.gov

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Serve Idaho is supported by AmeriCorps. A total of $4,519,228, or 61%, of the program is financed with federal funds, and $2,893,430, or 39%, is funded by local support.

Idaho workplace deaths declined to 30 in 2021

Photo of highway

Bureau of Labor Statistics researchers documented 30 fatal occupational injuries in Idaho in 2021. Though the trend over the decade has been a slight increase in workplace fatalities, the 30 deaths in 2021 represent a decline from 2020 when 32 fatalities occurred.

Key findings

  • Workplace fatalities in Idaho declined slightly in 2021 with 30 recorded deaths, down from 32 the year prior.
  • Transportation remains the largest contributor to workplace fatalities whether measured by occupation, industry, event or location.
  • Idaho recorded no workplace fatalities among women in 2021. 2019 and 2020 each saw three workplace fatalities among women.
  • 85% of all workplace deaths in Idaho in 2021 occurred among white workers.

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The post-COVID outlook for Idaho health care workers

Poto of health care workers

A study by Idaho Department of Labor economist Matthew Paskash analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on health care workers by comparing pre-pandemic, current and projected data in the areas of employment and wages, job postings, health care program completions and Idaho Department of Labor occupational and industry projections. The study also examines additional insights from stakeholder interviews and a survey of health care workers.

This analysis concludes with an anticipated near-to-medium-term outlook of shortages of health care practitioners in Idaho. To combat these shortages, the state may explore efforts in attracting health care workers, expanding education and training programs, and stemming the outflow of health care practitioners to other states.

Read the Executive Summary here.

This Idaho Department of Labor project is 100% funded by USDOL as part of two Employment and Training Administration awards totaling $695,785.

Idaho Department of Labor earns recognition from Tableau

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 6, 2022
Media Contact: Salvador.Vazquez@labor.idaho.gov

The Department of Labor’s research team has earned recognition for the visual way they display Idaho’s weekly unemployment claim data on Idaho’s labor market information page.

The department received the recognition from Tableau, a visual analytics platform that uses data to solve problems. Labor’s charts and data were featured on Tableau’s website as an example of an interactive government data visualization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism seeking commission applicants

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 6, 2022
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, is seeking applicants from across the state to serve a three-year term.

The commission is seeking the following individuals:

  • A representative from a local labor organization.
  • A representative from a local Indian tribe.
  • A representative from higher education.
  • A representative from the volunteer sector.
  • A representative with experience in promoting the involvement of older adults (ages 55 and older) in volunteer service.

Gov. Little will select and appoint members. To learn more about commissioner requirements visit Serve Idaho Resources.

All interested applicants should contact Renee Bade at renee.bade@labor.idaho.gov for application information. Applications must be submitted to Serve Idaho by Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, for consideration.

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