0,000+ in tuition and fees for in-demand occupations), and connections to apprenticeships. Every state has a workforce agency that oversees unemployment insurance, labor market information, and rapid response services for laid-off workers. Registered Apprenticeship programs pay workers while they train for skilled trades (electrician, plumber, HVAC, heavy equipment, and increasingly healthcare and IT). For formerly incarcerated fathers, state Department of Labor reentry programs and organizations like the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provide transitional jobs and placement. This directory includes AJCs, workforce boards, apprenticeship programs, and reentry services.
6 Resources
1. Idaho Works – Workforce Centers — Free
Network of state workforce centers run by the Idaho Department of Labor, offering free job search assistance, resume help, career counseling, training referrals, and access to employer listings. Fathers looking for work or changing careers can use computers, attend workshops, and meet with career specialists at the Boise office or any statewide location. Unemployment insurance claims are also filed through the department.
208-332-3570 · 317 W Main St, Boise, ID 83735 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
2. Goodwill Industries of Idaho — Free
Nonprofit providing job training, career development, and employment placement services through Goodwill's Idaho locations. Fathers facing employment barriers can access career centers for resume help, skills assessments, and connections to employers. Call the Franklin Road office or visit a local career center for current programs; most employment services are free to qualifying job seekers, funded by Goodwill retail operations.
208-375-0462 · 5765 W Franklin Rd, Boise, ID 83709 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
3. Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation — Free
State agency providing employment services for Idaho residents with disabilities, including vocational assessments, job training, assistive technology, and placement support. Fathers with qualifying disabilities who want to work or keep a job can apply for services through the Boise office or regional sites. Call or visit the site for an application; services are free to eligible participants, and waitlists may apply during high demand.
208-334-3390 · 650 W State St, Boise, ID 83720 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
4. Idaho Commission for the Blind – Employment — Free
State commission providing employment training, rehabilitation services, and assistive technology for visually impaired Idaho residents. Fathers who are blind or low-vision can apply for services that support job readiness, workplace accommodations, and career placement. Call the Washington Street office or visit the site for an application; services are free to qualifying Idahoans and designed to support independent living and employment.
208-334-3220 · 341 W Washington St, Boise, ID 83702 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
5. Job Corps – Idaho — Free
Free U.S. Department of Labor education and job training program for young adults ages 16-24, offering career-technical training, high school diploma or equivalency completion, and residential housing. Young fathers and father-figures can enroll to gain skills in fields like construction, healthcare, and IT while receiving housing, meals, and support. Call the national toll-free line for Idaho-serving center information and to start an application.
800-733-5627 · 24/7 residential · Visit Website
6. Idaho SBDC – Small Business Development — Free
Statewide network offering free business counseling and low-cost training for Idaho entrepreneurs, startups, and existing small businesses. Fathers thinking about starting a business or growing one can meet one-on-one with certified consultants on business planning, financing, marketing, and operations. Call the Boise State-based headquarters or visit the site to find the regional center nearest you; confidential consulting is free.
208-426-3875 · 1910 University Dr, Boise, ID 83725 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website