Region
- Labor demand in south central Idaho remained stable in August 2024, with a total of 2,753 unique job postings in the region, a 5.4% decrease from 2,912 unique postings in July 2024. The unemployment rate remained at 3.5% from July 2024 and has increased 0.3% from August 2023. Total employment has increased 2.6% over the past year.
| South central Idaho seasonally adjusted data | August-24 (P) | July-24 (R) | August – 23 (B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civilian labor force | 109,678 | 109,032 | 106,539 |
| Total employment | 105,802 | 105,218 | 103,151 |
| Unemployment | 3,876 | 3,814 | 3,388 |
| % of labor force unemployed | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.2% |
| Source: Idaho Department of Labor | P – Preliminary | R – Revised | B – Benchmarked |
| Top 10 occupations by unique job postings in south central Idaho, August 2024 | Postings, Aug-24 | Postings Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail salespersons | 148 | 89 |
| Registered nurses | 108 | 102 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | 108 | 89 |
| First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | 75 | 77 |
| Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products | 53 | 25 |
| Customer service representatives | 48 | 61 |
| Laborers, freight, stock material movers and hand | 47 | 23 |
| Merchandise displayers and window trimmers | 45 | 34 |
| Maintenance and repair workers, general | 44 | 28 |
| Teaching assistants, except postsecondary | 43 | 13 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
The occupation of teaching assistants (except postsecondary) experienced a 231% jump in job postings year over year in August.
| Top 10 industries by unique job postings in south central Idaho, Aug 2024 | Postings, Aug-24 | Postings, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 492 | 357 |
| Health care and social assistance | 437 | 277 |
| Manufacturing | 369 | 273 |
| Wholesale trade | 145 | 102 |
| Public administration | 110 | 55 |
| Finace and insurance | 106 | 73 |
| Educational services | 104 | 52 |
| Accommodation and food services | 99 | 148 |
| Construction | 97 | 55 |
| Information | 86 | 28 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Educational services occupational job postings doubled year over year in August. Accommodation and food services occupational job postings decreased 33% year over year in August as the economy slows and budgets tighten.
| Top 10 hardest-to-fill occupations in south central Idaho, August 2024 | Days to fill, Aug-24 | Days to fill, Aug-23 |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational vehicle service technicians | 59 | N/A |
| First-line superviors of construction trades and extraction workers | 56 | 32 |
| Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | 56 | N/A |
| Tree trimmers and pruners | 55 | N/A |
| Dishwashers | 54 | N/A |
| Managers, all other | 53 | 10 |
| Stockers and order fillers | 53 | 27 |
| Community and social service specialists, all other | 53 | 33 |
| Emergency management directors | 52 | N/A |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | 51 | 26 |
| Source: Conference Board data via Lightcast | ||
Blaine County
- The Hailey Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a 20-unit transitional housing building. The $11 million 23,000 square foot building will offer 20 apartments with two floors. The first floor will be configured as a “client services center” where clients can seek counseling services and obtain practical skills — like cooking classes. The first floor will have other amenities such as a kids play area, a food bank, a kitchen/cafeteria and a youth meeting room. The project is partly funded by investment from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, along with funding from the Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence. The project will be located at 201 to 203 S. River St. Source: Idaho Mountain Express
Twin Falls County
- With help from the community and grant funding from the Workforce Development Council, a full day preschool has opened in Castleford that can currently register 18 students ages three to four, with a total capacity of 34 students. The tuition cost is $400 per month for all-day attendance. The school offers a four-day week schedule with tuition-assistance available for low-income families. Source: Magic Valley Times News
- Funding secured though Community Project Funding will provide $3.375 million for the construction of a fire station in Buhl, this will be the first firehouse in the city increasing security to citizens. Source: Magic Valley Times News
- With $1 million dollars of grant funding awarded by the Idaho Career Ready Students Council, the Twin Falls School District can expand their welding and agriculture career technical education programs at Twin Falls High School. Much of the funding is planned for expanding current facilities, as currently there are more students who want to participate than size allows. Source: Magic Valley Times News
- The Twin Falls Planning and Zoning Commission has approved In-N-Out’s permit for extended hours of operation. The restaurant is planned to be constructed on 1965 Blue Lakes Boulevard, the current site of an Outback Steakhouse. The commission had previously denied the permit, primarily citing traffic concerns. In-N-Out has now demonstrated to the Planning and Zoning Commission their plan to extensively renovate the current parking lot to accommodate the influx of traffic. The council approved the permit 5-1. Source: KMVT
This Idaho Department of Labor project is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor for SFY24 as part of the Workforce Information grant (48%) and state/nonfederal (52%) totaling $704,259.
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