Fair targets professionals

As another potential government shutdown is looming, a lot of people are on edge, especially after the Idaho Department of Labor announced the rise in unemployment rates Friday.

For a while the economy seemed like it was taking a turn, but the 6.8 percent unemployment rate is not what regional economist Will Jenson expected.

“It’s a little more of an increase than we would hope to see of course,” said Jenson.

With “help wanted” signs everywhere it is unclear why the rate is so high. It will be a while before economists figure out why rates are increasing.

As the government combats a fiscal fight and rumors of sequestration emerge once again, many are concerned that the unemployment rate will increase over time.

“You’d have a number of people that could be laid off as a result of it, it just depends on the way the sequester occurs,” said Jenson.

Economists say layoffs would hit big companies in Idaho Falls, such as the Idaho National Laboratory. For every one position within the lab, experts say it supports two jobs in other parts of the economy.

Although the INL is not currently cutting jobs, the company had a massive layoff earlier this year. Many worry that if the government makes the wrong decision, companies will be forced to cut positions once again.

The Idaho Department of Labor will host a job fair on Oct. 1 for former INL employees that lost their jobs in January. The fair’s focus will be on professionals with advanced education or training.

The job fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to both employers and employees.