Around Idaho: Economic activity, February 2024

Information provided in these news updates is collected up until the end of February and includes 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

NORTHERN IDAHO – Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties

Region

Labor demand in northern Idaho rose last month, with the number of open jobs increasing by nearly 40%. In total, there were 1,799 job postings in January 2024, according to data from the Conference Board, of which 1,474 were posted in Kootenai County. Registered nurses were the most in-demand occupation, followed by retail salespersons.

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Women ages 25-34 are driving Idaho’s labor force growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Idaho’s labor force increased by 13% and added over 100,000 participants in the five-year period from 2018-2023. Despite women making up only about 46% of Idaho’s current labor force, they accounted for 54% of its total growth over the last five years.

Women accounted for Idaho’s entire labor force growth in 2023 as the number of women in the labor force increased, while the total number of male participants actually declined, compared to 2022. Young adult women ages 25-34 currently make up around 6% of the 2022 statewide population and 11% of the labor force but contributed to 18% of Idaho’s total labor force growth in the five-year period from 2018-2023. [1]

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Program offers free training in Idaho construction occupations

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2024
Media Contact: Georgia.Smith@labor.idaho.gov or Lindsay.Trombly@labor.idaho.gov

Free training is currently available for Idahoans wanting to pursue a career in heavy equipment operation, cement masonry and concrete finishing.

Depending on the occupation, annual wages in this industry can range from $43,000 to $52,000 statewide, according to the 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS) from the Idaho Department of Labor.

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Empowering youth: Career exploration and hiring event set for Saturday, March 2

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2024
Media Contact: Janalee.Henderson@labor.idaho.gov

Treasure Valley residents between the ages of 14 to 24 are invited to attend a career exploration and hiring event in Meridian, Saturday, March 2.

The event will be held at the Galaxy Event Center at Wahooz, 1385 S. Blue Marlin Lane, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Leap into a new career at Caldwell’s hiring event, Thursday, Feb. 29

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 23, 2024
Media Contact: David.Arciniega@labor.idaho.gov

Job seekers are encouraged to “leap into a new career” at a hiring event in Caldwell, Thursday, Feb. 29. The hiring event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until noon at the Idaho Department of Labor office located at 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

Employers planning to attend include Admiral Beverage Corp., Amalgamated Sugar, Big Tex Trailers, Blue Ribbon Landscape and Maintenance, CS Beef Packers, CTI Foods, D&B Supply and more.

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Women working in trades and transportation industries are on the rise

More and more Idaho women are achieving financial stability by holding nontraditional roles in male-dominated industries – whether it be in construction, transportation or the general trades.

“Working in transportation helped me find things I love to do,” said Idaho Department of Transportation Training Specialist Lori Copeland. “There is value in discovering how the perspective I bring to my work as a woman is different than most of my male counterparts.”

Construction

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Quarterly Workforce Indicator (Q2 2023), one in five women are construction workers or in Idaho, approximately 20%. The number of women in the industry overall has grown by 8% since 1992.

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Free seminar opportunity for Idaho businesses, Feb. 28

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 22, 2024
Media Contact: Kandi.Rudd@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses will learn about the Idaho Human Rights Commissions’ services, Wednesday, Feb. 28. This online seminar starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. MDT.

The seminar, featuring Commission Administrator Ben Earwicker, will also cover existing trends in state and federal anti-discrimination laws, the process for filing and responding to discrimination claims and the complaint resolution process.

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Thirty employers plan to recruit employees at Post Falls hiring event, Feb. 21

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 16, 2024
Media Contact: Tara.McKelvey@labor.idaho.gov

Kootenai County continues to see an increase in job postings. With 1,475 job openings during the month of January, job openings have grown by 40%.

Around 30 employers will be trying to fill some of those openings during a monthly hiring event in Post Falls, Wednesday, Feb. 21. Job seekers can show up anytime from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Labor office located at 600 N. Thornton St.

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Employers encouraged to participate in Labor’s hiring event for youth and young adults

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 14, 2024
Media Contact: Janalee.Henderson@labor.idaho.gov

Employers across the Treasure Valley with job vacancies to fill are encouraged to attend the Idaho Department of Labor’s Youth/Young Adult Career Exploration and Hiring Event, Saturday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Galaxy Event Center/Wahooz Family Fun Zone in Meridian.

The event is free of charge for employers. Tables and chairs will be provided.

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Feb. 13 webinar will focus on Idaho’s rural economy

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Feb. 6, 2024
Media Contact: Craig.Shaul@labor.idaho.gov

Labor Economist Ryan Whitesides will talk about the many components that make up Idaho’s rural economy during the next Idaho Department of Labor webinar Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon MT.

“Rural Idaho’s economy can mean different things to different people,” Whitesides said. “From demographics and population to the land itself, our rural economy is made up of public and private industry, farms, ranches, forests, national monuments, community gateways to national parks and so much more.”

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