New figures from Idaho's Department of Labor show slightly fewer job openings this year compared to last.
But it's not all bad news. 2011 has brought twice as many newly created positions.Local economists said adding names to the payroll is a sign employers are feeling more confident. And according to one study, Idaho is predicted to lead the nation in an industry that may be surprising. If you're on the job hunt and seeing slightly fewer openings this year, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. "For every 100 jobs right now, we've got 1.7 openings," said Will Jensen, a regional economist with the Idaho Department of Labor.
The state's vacancy rate is down one tenth from 2010, but Jensen also said the jobs that are up for grabs have more to offer: Higher wages and more full time, permanent work. "A lot more of those jobs require certification, education (and) training beyond high school," said Jensen. Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce published a study this month forecasting job growth by state. Six years from now, the Gem State is projected to produce big openings in agriculture and food and natural resources. The study predicts Idaho's fastest growing sector will be health sciences. iI's expected to skyrocket 33 percent by 2018.
"Supply and demand," said Cindy Smith-Putnam, executive director of business development, community relations and marketing at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. "As aging boomers need more healthcare and enter the system with those needs, they need more providers to take care of them."
Smith-Putnam said nursing, pharmaceuticals and healthcare technology are specific positions in growing demand. So why has Idaho been tapped as the state to lead the entire nation in creating medical jobs?"It's an industry that's growing rapidly in Idaho, but we're catching up with the rest of the country," said Jensen.
"As population grows in rural areas, they'll really need their own hometown doctors and nurses to take care of them," said Smith-Putnam. In eastern Idaho, a third of openings were seasonal - mostly in agriculture and construction. The Idaho Falls Department of Labor will be hosting a Job and Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, Dec. 7. It's from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the East Idaho Public Health District Office: 1250 Hollipark Dr., Idaho Falls. More than 20 employers are expected to attend, such as Riverbend Communications, URS, Century Link, The Home Depot and TRIPTA.