NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 5, 2023
Media Contact: Matthew.Paskash@labor.idaho.gov
The supply and cost of workers and high labor turnover are among top concerns of Idaho businesses who participated in an Idaho Department of Labor survey this spring.
This inaugural Idaho business climate survey was designed to uncover significant business concerns, desired labor force skills, leadership demographics, remote work trends and future growth expectations among Idaho employers.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 12, 2023
Media Contact: Kellye.Sharp@labor.idaho.gov
Starting Monday, Sept. 18, three new Idaho Department of Labor mobile locations will open in northern Idaho. Locations will be at the Sandpoint Community Resource Envision Center, the Sandpoint Library and VFW Post 10320 in Clark Fork – making 31 mobile locations available across Idaho.
The expansion will provide more options for residents to use Labor’s services in the northern region, such as helping with writing resumes, applying for jobs, prepping for interviews and filing for unemployment insurance benefits. Additionally, job training and other community resources are available.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2023
Media Contact: micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov
AmeriCorps and Serve Idaho Commission members and staff will come together in Jerome, Shoshone, Twin Falls and Gooding to participate in the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. The two groups will lead the community and encourage participation in a month-long donation drive to benefit Project Succeed, which distributes school supplies to teachers in the Magic Valley.
Donations for Project Succeed can be dropped off at the following locations between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. between Sept. 8 – 30.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2023
Media Contact: micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov
AmeriCorps members and the Serve Idaho Commission and staff will come together for a project to benefit community schools in the Treasure Valley as part of the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
“Our community schools serve as neighborhood gathering places where families and community members come together to enhance children’s lives and learning,” said Coby Dennis, Boise School District Superintendent. “The volunteer spirit at the heart of AmeriCorps and the National Day of Service is a great example of what we can do when we work together.”
Gov. Brad Little appointed nine new commissioners to the Serve Idaho Commission. They add to the existing commission of 13.
“The new commissioners bring a passion for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in their communities,” program manager Renee Bade said. “We are excited to welcome them to the commission to share their expertise in advancing service across Idaho.”
Commissioners are listed below per region.
Information provided in these news updates is from professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.
Northern Idaho
North Central Idaho
Southwestern Idaho
South Central Idaho
Southeastern
Eastern Idaho
Region
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.
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.
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
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: April 28, 2023
Media Contact: Renee.Bade@labor.idaho.gov
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.
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.