Tag Archives: Idaho employers

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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International trade drives Idaho’s wages and employment

Idaho’s economy depends heavily on international markets for the goods and services it produces. The impact of international trade is visible in the state’s growing network of foreign trade partners, rising export volumes and the associated gains in jobs and wages. Tracking these trends helps illustrate how global trade markets influence Idaho’s economy.

Idaho’s international trade partners

As of 2024, Idaho exports to 205 nations. However, the majority of Idaho’s goods and services are sold only to a select few nations, as shown in Figure 1. Canada has been the state’s largest importer at $13.4 billion in sales revenue since 2014, averaging $1.2 billion annually. 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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Idaho’s small arms market anticipates more growth

In the 20 years following the end of the federal assault weapons ban in 2004, the employment growth rate of Idaho’s small arms manufacturing industry nearly tripled — greatly outpacing the nation’s rate of 60%. While the small arms market is currently experiencing a slowdown both nationally and in Idaho, new developments in 2025 regulations and legal cases might be the key to upcoming growth.

Idaho has become home to some of the most well-known small arms and small arms accessory companies in the world, including some that contract with the U.S.’s military and police departments, such as Nightforce Optics, Alien Gear Holsters, Seekins Precision and Federal/CCI ammunition. Idaho is also home to some more boutique and innovative manufacturers such as Nemo Arms, Primary Weapons Systems, Bishop Firearms and Foxtrot Mike. Businesses like these have brought Idaho’s number of small arms manufacturing businesses up from eight to 31 since 2004.

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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 →

Labor law posters available online for Idaho businesses

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho businesses are again being solicited by private companies to pay for required labor law posters that the Idaho Department of Labor provides online for free.

Employers are required to place the legally mandated posters on safety, wages and discrimination in the workplace where they can easily be seen by employees.

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Idaho sees growth in startup jobs and new business applications in 2024

A positive byproduct of “startups” — defined as new private establishments open for less than a year — are the jobs they create. While Idaho’s startups account for a smaller share of private jobs now than in the 1990s, the state’s total employment has benefitted from them, growing from around 15,000 jobs in 1994 to over 27,000 jobs in 2024 — a 79.6% overall increase, or 2.2% annually.

Idaho finds itself in a healthy state of net job growth from startups, especially over the past 14 years when the greatest growth occurred. Figure 1 below plots the employment of startups in Idaho and the U.S. from 1994-2024. Despite a slight employment decrease in 2023, Idaho job growth from startups was again on the rise in 2024. Nationally, however, net job growth from startups dropped 14.6% from 1994-2024, a 1.4% decline per year. Continue reading →

Coeur d’Alene hiring event takes place, Wednesday, June 4

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2025
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

A hiring event will be held Wednesday, June 4, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Library, 702 E. Front Ave.

Employers planning to attend include All Ways Caring HomeCare, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools, Comfort Keepers, Easterseals-Goodwill, Environmental Control, Harris & Bruno, North Idaho College, Kootenai Health, North Idaho Dental Group, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and more.

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Apprenticeship program gives Idahoans skills to pursue new careers

Registered Apprenticeship is a pathway into the workforce where participants can “earn while they learn” and gain a recognized certification in an industry of their choice. This method of transitioning into the workforce has gained popularity and employers are now investing time into the Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program. This program makes it easier for interested Idahoans to gain knowledge and experience before committing to enroll in a Registered Apprenticeship program. Below are a few employers featured who have invested time in the creation of a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program.

Idaho Rural Water Association (IDRWA)

In December of 2023, IDRWA led the way as the first Quality Pre-Apprenticeship program in Idaho, with the goal to fill jobs in the wastewater treatment industry.

“For the drinking water and wastewater industry — the industry isn’t very attractive on its own. We are already butting against that stereotype. It’s not very well known, and I don’t think young people are aware of it as a career path,” IDRWA Apprenticeship Coordinator Gary Sievers said. “We believe water use is the future, and we wanted to use this program to reach out to young people.”

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