Tag Archives: Kootenai County

Workshop in Northern Idaho Helps Businesses with Succession Planning

With the nation’s unemployment rate hovering just above 5 percent, employers are finding it difficult to recruit and keep talented workers. Baby boomers will continue retiring over the next 25 years, leaving both a shortage of workers and a deficit of valuable traditional skill sets. Employers are looking for ways to attract and keep the transitioning generation of workers.

Earlier this summer, the Idaho Department of Labor Kootenai County office held a workshop for area employers about building succession plans as one means of keeping those talented workers.

Succession planning involves identifying and developing current employees with the potential to fill key leadership roles in the business.

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Partners in Business Group Provides Avenue for Networking

Kootenai County employers interested in learning more about networking and best practices for businesses might find the Partners in Business group worth a look.

The professional networking group was started more than 20 years ago with the purpose of creating mutually beneficial business relationships. The meetings are designed to inform, inspire and educate the business community by tapping area leaders and experts as speakers for the monthly meeting.

Stacey Hanlon, Idaho Department of Labor workforce consultant, introduces Rep. Luke Malek at the November Partners in Business meeting. Malek discussed the state’s health insurance exchange.

“It’s an inexpensive way to learn how to grow and expand your business and to network with other businesses in your community,” said Ricia Lasso, Idaho Department of Labor’s regional business specialist and one of the group’s early coordinators.

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‘Meet the Employer’ Connects Businesses, Job Seekers

After several northern Idaho employers expressed a need for keeping their employee pipeline primed with potential candidates, Kootenai County’s local office employment services team had the perfect answer:

Meet the Employer, an informal way for local businesses to discuss openings and talk with job seekers about working for their firms. The event will be held in the Kootenai County local office from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Wednesday of each month.

Job seekers were actively engaged with employers at the first Monthly Hiring Event at the Kootenai office of the Idaho Department of Labor.

The first event, held in June, was attended by 300 job seekers and 15 businesses, including Xaact Products, Life Care Center of Post Falls and Silverwood Theme Park.

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