Tag Archives: Idaho employers

Graduate earns fulfilling career upon graduating construction program

About four months ago, Grant Childers was operating heavy equipment at Land Lab Day while enrolled in the ICONIC program in Boise. He was just days away from graduating and earning his certification. Little did he know, he would meet his future employer that day.

Grant Childers stands proudly in his vest at Land Lab Day in November 2025.

Grant Childers stands proudly in his vest at Land Lab Day in November 2025.

“When I first arrived to the field day, the program director immediately introduced me to a few of the instructors at the program. I asked each of them about who they felt were their top candidates and Grant’s name was consistently at the top,” Manager of RivHab Engineering and EarthWorks Zack Billingsley said. “In fact, I specifically remember one of them saying that while there were quite a few candidates that he’d recommend, Grant was in a league of his own.”

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Businesses are encouraged to apply for skills training funds

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: March 6, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor has been awarded an $8 million Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support training in advanced manufacturing, domestic mineral production and nuclear energy industries.

“Idaho’s continued economic growth depends on making sure our workforce has the skills employers need to succeed,” Governor Brad Little said. “This investment helps strengthen our partnerships with industry while creating more opportunities for Idahoans to train for good-paying, in-demand jobs that support our communities and our economy.”

Labor staff are accepting funding applications from employers in advanced manufacturing technologies across a variety of innovation-driven industries. Employers can get up to 80% reimbursement for approved training costs (up to $25,000 per employee) to expand their workforce or upskill current employees. Continue reading →

State requests public comments for modification of 2024-2027 state workforce plan

NEWS RELEASE

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

The Idaho Department of Labor and the Workforce Development Council are requesting public comment on the proposed modification of Idaho’s 2024-2027 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Combined State Plan.

Idaho’s workforce development system is comprised of a network of state, regional, local agencies and organizations that provide a range of services. This includes employment, education, training and overall support to help all job-seekers secure good jobs while providing businesses with the skilled workers they need to compete in a global economy. Continue reading →

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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