Tag Archives: Idaho Department of Labor

Employers will learn about unemployment insurance process at webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 8, 2026
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 webinar, Thursday, Oct. 22, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. MT.

Adjudication Supervisor Eric Erickson and UI Claims Adjudicator Kim Eisenbarth 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.

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Idaho expected to see annual employment growth over national average through 2034

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 7, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s labor market is expected to continue its significant expansion through the end of the decade, with a projected employment growth rate of 1.3% per year and a total employment count reaching 1,028,760 by 2034. These new long-term employment projections are estimates from the Idaho Department of Labor and cover the period from 2024-2034.

Idaho’s long-term projected growth rate of 1.3% is significantly higher than the national forecast. The most recent projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipate a national growth rate of approximately 0.3% annually — less than one fourth of the projected growth rate for Idaho.

These projections are consistent with Idaho’s record of strong job creation in recent years, including rapid growth from 2010-2020, and an economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that was among the strongest in the nation. Continue reading →

Labor economist will present data on self-employment in Idaho at upcoming webinar

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Oct. 6, 2026
Media Contact: Knox.Freedman@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho Department of Labor Economist Knox Freedman will be examining self-employment statistics and evaluating trends in the state at a webinar, Tuesday, Oct. 13.

This webinar will also analyze the impacts of self-employment on the broader labor market and economy, as well as its relationship to wages and labor supply.

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Idaho’s job market experiences rising demand, stubborn shortages and changing expectations

Idaho’s labor market has changed significantly over the past 10 years. For many years, Idaho employers were generally better at finding workers than other states. However, more recent job vacancy data, such as the time it takes to fill jobs, turnover rates and job postings, show that expectations have shifted. Employers now find it harder to fill open jobs, while workers have more opportunities.

Job vacancy yield

The past few years have seen some of the tightest labor markets in modern history for both Idaho and the nation, making it difficult for many employers to fill open positions. One of the indicators of how effectively employers are able to fill jobs is the monthly vacancy yield, which measures the number of hires each month compared with the number of job openings remaining from the previous month.

As shown in Figure 1 below, Idaho employers have hired about one person for every job vacancy at many points over the past decade, which is considered strong labor demand. Continue reading →

Fall Canyon County hiring event features around 35 various employers

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 24, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Thursday, Oct. 1, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the department’s Caldwell office. The address is 4514 Thomas Jefferson St.

Employers attending include Bogus Basin, Caldwell Public Library, D&B Supply, Fred Meyer, HB Specialty Foods, Idaho Department of Correction, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Panda Express, Piedmont Airlines, Rock Hard Granite, Treasure Valley Transit and more.

Open positions available include bus drivers, production managers, construction laborers, manufacturers, correctional officers, certified nursing assistants, store associates and others.

For a complete list of employers attending, visit the department’s calendar.

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Governor recognizes Lava Hot Springs volunteer for contributions

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 24, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

MarthaFae Frymire being presented with the Idaho's Brightest Star award by Serve Idaho commissioner Farhana Hibbert and Gov. Brad Little

Left to right: MarthaFae Frymire, Serve Idaho Commissioner Farhana Hibbert, Gov. Brad Little

A volunteer from Lava Hot Springs was honored for her service at the Idaho Capital for a Day event hosted by Gov. Brad Little, Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Serve Idaho, the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, recognized MarthaFae Frymire with the Idaho’s Brightest Star Award for her exceptional volunteer service.

Frymire was nominated by the Lava Hot Springs Senior Center for her dedicated work supporting seniors in the community by taking them on trips to places like the zoo and museum. She also started a weekly bingo game that brings together connection and friendship within the community. Continue reading →

Idaho’s August unemployment rate remains at 3.6%

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 18, 2026
Media Contact: John.Panter@labor.idaho.gov or Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged between July and August, staying at 3.6%.

August’s labor force decreased by 486 people to 998,378 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 to 61.5%.

Total employment decreased by 410 to 962,214 and unemployment decreased by 76 (-0.2%) to 36,164. Continue reading →

Idaho’s population growth of children has created higher demand for education occupations

With students around Idaho returning to school, thousands of workers in the education sector are also returning to work. This includes not only teachers, but also non-teaching staff, including bus drivers, guidance counselors and administrators. In recent years student enrollment has increased in Idaho public primary schools, driving higher demand for these occupations.

Since 2020, Idaho’s rapid population growth has brought more than 23,000 additional children ages five to 17 into the school environment. This influx has increased demand on Idaho’s kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) education system. Total employment in elementary and secondary schools increased by 6.7% during this period to accommodate the growing student population. This new demand has affected employment trends for different occupations in a variety of ways.

School administrators, guidance counselors and bus drivers are three occupations in the K-12 sector which all had employment shifts in different ways due to the increase of students. School administration and guidance counselor occupations experienced elevated employment after 2020, while school bus driver employment decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Network with various employers at Treasure Valley hiring event

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 10, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event is from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including Boise Mobile Equipment, Boise State University, City of Boise, Durham School Services, Fred Meyer, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Idaho Power, Mattress Firm, West Ada School District and others.

Open positions available include electrical technicians, automotive painters, project cost estimators, electrical design engineers, building facility technicians, administrative assistants, business operations managers, sales representatives, airport operations specialists, business analysts and many more.

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Discover a new career at hiring event in Coeur d’Alene

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Sept. 9, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The address is 702 E. Front Ave.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Employers planning to attend include Hilton Grand Vacations, The Home Depot, Idaho Division of Veterans Services in Post Falls, North Idaho College, Paul Mitchell The School, Post Falls School District and more.

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