Labor Dept. launches initiative to close labor force gap

There’s good news on the horizon for those looking for a job, but employers aren’t necessarily singing the same tune.

The Idaho Department of Labor said there are tons of open jobs throughout the state, but not enough people to fill them.

In an effort to try and close this labor force gap, the labor department launched a new initiative starting Monday to help provide both employers and job seekers the opportunity and encouragement to find jobs within the state.

The department’s regional economist Dan Cravens said we’re looking at a growing number of job creation in the high-tech and health care industries, respectively.

He also noted we’re seeing a draining effect where students are graduating from institutions of higher education and moving out of state to look for better employment opportunities, when consequently, companies are timid about moving into the area with the growing concern about the lack of a qualified workforce.

It’s a cycle, to say the least…a cycle many economists are saying is creating the number one challenge facing Idaho’s economy today.

“When companies are looking at different areas or different counties, they see that and say, ‘this might be difficult for my company,’ so education, workforce training and workforce development are critical to our future as an economic leader to both Idaho and eastern Idaho as well,” Cravens said.

Idaho State University College of Technology dean Scott Rasmussen said he is noticing this labor gap, but he’s also seeing an increase in applicants into the college’s various high-tech programs.

He said this gap is largely due to the fact that many folks holding those current tech jobs are from the baby boomer generation.

“Not only is the industry expanding immensely, but there are also a number of folks who are knocking on the door of retirement and getting ready to step out the door,” Rasmussen said. “When that happens, that compounds the problem.”

As part of the new initiative, the labor department launched a new website you can find here:https://chooseidaho.gov/