Last modified: Sunday, January 4, 2009 12:00 AM PST IDL offers help to displaced workers By JESSICA KELLER ARGUS OBSERVER PAYETTE — The recent announcement the Nampa-based computer company MPC laid off 157 workers likely affected some area residents, but help is available locally. Idaho Department of Labor Regional Manager Jim Smith said there are programs and service opportunities available for those displaced workers, and the Department of Labor is ready to help. Smith said office workers are also more than happy to direct Oregon residents to the appropriate contacts in their state. The effected workers are eligible for Workforce Investment Act programs, Smith said, and because there was a previous trade petition filed on behalf of the workers, they may eligible for extended benefits and training dollars as well. Smith said benefits for those workers can go as far as providing money for individual needs such as clothing, gas or travel money to get to an interview. He said the Payette office has not been visited by any displaced workers yet but has received a few phone calls. Smith said, whenever there is a significant layoff in Ada or Canyon counties, it is safe to presume 10 percent of those workers live in Payette, Washington or Malheur counties. “We have quite a large commuter population to Canyon and Ada counties, so, out of 157 workers, it’s not unthinkable, from between our three counties, we could have 10 to 15 (displaced workers),” Smith said. The immediate future does not look bright, either. Future layoffs from another computer giant, Micron, are expected in January. When Micron officials announced its massive layoff this fall, it was broken into phases, so not all layoffs would occur at once. The remaining layoffs, however, are expected at the beginning and the end of this month, Smith said, and those employees are eligible for the same programs as those MPC workers and should contact their local Department of Labor offices immediately. “We know that we’re going to have another round of significant layoffs,” Smith said.   Fortunately, however, the local and regional Idaho Department of Labor offices, which are mostly federally funded, are fully staffed to accommodate displaced workers looking for new employment, Smith said, which is usually the case when the economy is poor. Additional staff is also being trained so IDL can handle a larger number of people. “And it’s interesting, when times are good, we cut back,” Smith said. “Conversely, when the economy is bad, we need to be able to serve the population.” While the Internet and new phone system, which allow people to file claims online or without speaking to a representative, have helped ease some of the strain on IDL staff, Smith said, on Monday mornings, “we have a full house waiting outside the door.” “This is the busiest that I’ve ever seen it,” Smith said. Because this is an agriculturally-based community, busy times of the year for IDL are in the winter, but Smith said the business IDL did this summer, which is usually slow, equaled what it does in the off-seasons. “We’ve had bigger layoffs in the past, but our area has been heavily impacted by layoffs (this year), and our unemployment rate is significant for communities the size of ours,” he said. “But it did my heart good to see the stores busy during Christmas time.” He said, even with the poor economy, 94 to 95 percent of the workforce population have jobs. For those who don’t, however, IDL can assist people in entering training and education programs to help people continue their education or receive training in another skill area. There are a lot of opportunities in the medical industry and elder care, and the demand for nurses is very high, Smith said. Other opportunities exist in the technology industry and different computer-based jobs, as well as the trucking industry, he added. For those people who don’t have a high school diploma, IDL can help them enter a program at Boise State University or Treasure Valley Community College to earn their general equivalency diploma, as well. Displaced workers from the recent or anticipated layoffs or anyone else needing information or help should call the Idaho Department of Labor Payette office, (208) 642-9361, and contact either Denny Field, ext. 3036, or Carol Campbell, ext. 3016. Assistance in Spanish is available.