Tag Archives: Idaho employers

Idaho sees growth in new startup births as failure rates decline in 2025

The amount of new startups and the reopening of existing establishments — known as “establishment births” —  in Idaho exceeded the number of business applications in 2025. Startup failure rates in the state also decreased over the year, with three out of four still in business after a year, according to recent U.S. Census data.

Business applications and private establishment births

Before the pandemic, Idaho’s startups were already growing quickly — business applications and new establishment births were both up about 30% from 2015-2019. The 2020-2021 period supercharged that growth — applications rose 31% and actual business births jumped nearly 49%. Continue reading →

Unemployment insurance workshop for employers takes place Thursday

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 4, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

Idaho employers are invited to learn about unemployment insurance (UI) Thursday, May 7, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will take place at the Idaho Department of Labor’s Twin Falls office, 458 Parkview Loop.

UI Supervisor Vicki Raass and Workforce Consultant Oscar Escobedo 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.

Continue reading →

Survey highlights a more stable labor market but continuing retention issues for Idaho employers in 2025

The 2025 Business Climate Survey results show both cautious optimism and continued labor force bottlenecks for Idaho employers. Although the state’s labor situation is cooling to a more balanced market than when the survey was initiated in 2023, the inability for some Idaho employers to attract and retain workers in 2025 continues to result in operational gaps.

Fewer employers looking to add jobs; low expectations to reduce headcount

The share of employers expecting to add jobs over the next five years has gradually decreased over the past three surveys but has been offset by an increase in those expecting to maintain employment at current levels (see Figure 1).

Overall, approximately 90% of Idaho employers expect to either maintain or increase their employee count within the next five years. Inversely, around 9% of employers expect their workforce to shrink — a ratio consistent with the survey responses of the past three years. Continue reading →

Hiring event offers various positions including machinists and dispatchers in Boise

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2026
Media Contact: Will.Hoenike@labor.idaho.gov

The Idaho Department of Labor is hosting a hiring event Wednesday, April 8, at the State of Idaho Chinden Campus in Boise. The address is 11351 W. Chinden Blvd.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at noon in the conference room of Building 6.

A variety of employers will be in attendance including the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Addus HomeCare, Autovol, Boise State University, Idaho Power, Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center, Treasure Valley YMCA and more.

Open positions available include 911 communications dispatchers, registered nurses, computer numerical control machinists, security control specialists, forklift operators, safety coordinators, home care aids, senior contracting specialists and many more.

Continue reading →

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.”

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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 →