Best Job & Career in Idaho — 15 resources

About Job & Career for Women

Job and career resources for women run through the 2,400+ American Job Centers (AJCs) nationwide, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and SBA Women's Business Centers. AJCs offer free job search, resume help, and WIOA-funded training (often

0,000+ in tuition for in-demand occupations). WANTO grants fund women entering nontraditional trades like construction, electrical, and HVAC. Registered Apprenticeships pay workers during training, and organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and Dress for Success support entry and re-entry. For formerly incarcerated women, programs like the Center for Employment Opportunities provide transitional jobs. This directory includes AJCs, WBCs, apprenticeships, and women-focused workforce programs.

Job & Career in Idaho

Idaho magistrate divisions handle custody matters within the district courts. The Child Support Services division within the Department of Health and Welfare runs enforcement. Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Idaho Falls are the largest cities. Idaho Legal Aid Services and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provide free family law and safety help to women statewide.

15 Resources

1. Idaho Department of Labor — Local Offices — Free

Idaho Department of Labor operates 25 local offices statewide offering free job search assistance, career counseling, unemployment insurance claims, and workforce training referrals. Mothers can use the IdahoWorks online portal to search openings, post resumes, and access skills assessments. WIOA-funded training is available for eligible workers. Statewide line 208-332-3570.

208-332-3570 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Idaho Women's Business Center — Free

The Idaho Women's Business Center, part of the SBA-funded national network, supports women entrepreneurs with free business counseling, low-cost training, and access to capital. The Boise-based center serves the entire state via in-person and virtual delivery. Specialty programs cover government contracting, e-commerce, and food business launches. Call 208-345-4907.

208-345-4907 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

3. Goodwill Industries — Boise — Free

Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain runs Boise workforce programs including career counseling, soft-skills training, and assistance with disability accommodations on the job. Programs are tuition-free for eligible participants. The Goodwill thrift stores fund training, and qualified clients can receive interview clothing vouchers. Call 208-375-8313.

208-375-8313 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. YWCA Boise — Employment Programs — Free

YWCA Boise's Economic Empowerment program offers job readiness coaching, financial coaching, and the WCA Job Program partnering with Treasure Valley employers to hire survivors of violence. Mothers receive one-on-one career navigation and access to professional clothing through community partnerships. Call 208-343-3688.

208-343-3688 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

5. SBA Idaho District Office — Free

The SBA Idaho District Office on the Wells Fargo Plaza floor in Boise oversees federal small business resources for Idaho entrepreneurs. The office certifies Women-Owned Small Businesses and 8(a) participants for federal contracting set-asides. SBA also guarantees loans through Idaho lenders, expanding access to startup and growth capital. Call 208-334-9004.

208-334-9004 · Boise, ID · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. CareerOneStop — Free

CareerOneStop is the U.S. Department of Labor's career exploration and job search portal with Idaho-specific data on occupation wages, growth projections, and required training. The American Job Center locator drops users to the nearest of Idaho's 25 IDOL offices. Free skills assessments and career interest inventories help mothers explore new fields.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. America's Job Centers — Free

Idaho's American Job Centers operate as IDOL local offices, offering free workshops on resume writing, interviewing, and digital skills. Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds underwrite training scholarships for eligible workers including dislocated workers and TANF recipients. Walk-ins welcome at all locations.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. DOL Women's Bureau — Free

The DOL Women's Bureau publishes data and policy recommendations on women's earnings, occupational segregation, paid leave, and child care affordability. The Bureau's pay equity initiatives help Idaho women understand their rights under the Equal Pay Act. The site also explains how to file pregnancy discrimination and pay discrimination complaints with the EEOC.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. Dress for Success — Free

Dress for Success Treasure Valley provides Idaho women with professional clothing for interviews and the first weeks on a new job, along with career coaching and the Professional Women's Group for ongoing support. Referrals come from social service agencies, schools, and workforce programs. Clients receive a complete interview outfit at no cost.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Bottomless Closet — Free

Bottomless Closet operates in select major cities providing free interview attire and career development for women entering the workforce. While Bottomless Closet doesn't have an Idaho affiliate, virtual career mentorship and online resources are available to Idaho women. The site links to similar regional programs across the U.S.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Year Up — Free

Year Up offers a free yearlong career training and corporate internship program for young adults ages 18-29, with sites in major U.S. cities. While the closest in-person site is in the Pacific Northwest, Year Up's online programs are available to Idaho participants. Graduates earn industry certifications and college credit while completing paid corporate internships.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Goodwill Career Services — Free

Goodwill nationally has placed millions of people in jobs through free career counseling, training programs, and employer partnerships. The Idaho affiliates in the Treasure Valley and North Idaho operate career centers funded by retail proceeds. Programs include resume writing, interview coaching, and computer skills training.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Women Employed — Free

Women Employed advocates for policies improving working women's economic security including pay equity, paid leave, fair scheduling, and child care access. The organization's research informs federal and state policy debates including those affecting Idaho. Resources help women understand their workplace rights and navigate career advancement.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free

SCORE provides free mentoring from retired and active business executives to entrepreneurs across Idaho. Chapters in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Coeur d'Alene match mentors by industry and stage of business. SCORE also offers free webinars and templates for business planning, marketing, and financial management. Mentor relationships can run for years.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership — Free

The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds the Idaho Women's Business Center and similar programs nationwide. The office also coordinates the Women-Owned Small Business federal contracting certification, opening doors to set-aside contracts. Resources include access-to-capital primers and the Women's Business Centers locator.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many job & career resources are in Idaho?
Women's Corner tracks 15 job & career resources for women in Idaho.
Are job & career resources in Idaho free?
15 of the 15 listed job & career resources in Idaho are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Idaho have job & career resources?
Listings span cities including Boise.
What are some examples of job & career resources in Idaho?
Featured entries include Idaho Department of Labor — Local Offices, Idaho Women's Business Center, Goodwill Industries — Boise, YWCA Boise — Employment Programs, SBA Idaho District Office.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 15 Idaho job & career listings include phone numbers.
Where do I get free job training?
Your local American Job Center (find at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-872-5627) offers free training, resume help, and job placement through the WIOA program. Goodwill, Dress for Success, and Bottomless Closet provide job-readiness, interview clothing, and coaching. Community colleges run short-term certificate programs (CNA, medical billing, IT) under
,000 that lead to immediate jobs.
Are there programs that hire single mothers?
Yes. Many employers partner with Goodwill, YWCA, and Workforce Boards on second-chance and single-mom hiring tracks — childcare assistance, flexible schedules, and tuition reimbursement included. Look at 'Family Forward NC' style state initiatives, certified Family-Friendly employers, and federal contractors (required to support working parents). Healthcare and logistics are the fastest-growing single-mom-friendly fields.
How do I write a resume after years out of the workforce?
Skip the chronological format — use a functional or hybrid resume that leads with skills (organization, budgeting, time management, problem-solving from caregiving counts). Reframe volunteer work, PTA, and freelance work as professional experience. Free help: American Job Centers, Dress for Success Career Center, LinkedIn's free resume builder, and the SBA Women's Business Centers.
What if I have a criminal record?
You still qualify for most jobs — Ban-the-Box laws in 37 states delay background questions until later in hiring. Federal contractors can't ask about records on the initial application. The Federal Bonding Program insures employers against loss for hiring you. Many states allow expungement of certain records after a waiting period — ask legal aid about clearing your record.