Build a Stronger Workforce. Earn Recognition for Excellence.
Strengthening Idaho Manufacturing — One Employer at a Time
The Idaho Manufacturing Employer of Choice (EOC) Program is a statewide workforce improvement and recognition initiative designed to elevate manufacturing as a career, strengthen employer practices, and advance the competitiveness of Idaho’s manufacturing industry.
- At the company level, EOC helps manufacturers better understand what’s happening inside their organization, identify focused opportunities to strengthen their workforce, and earn meaningful recognition for the work they’re doing.
- At the industry level, it builds a stronger manufacturing brand — one that attracts talent, supports growth, and reinforces Idaho as a great place to build a career in manufacturing.
Manufacturers across the country face the same challenge — finding, training, and keeping skilled talent.
The Manufacturing Employer of Choice Program helps you measure, improve, and showcase what makes your company a great place to work.
Key Points:
- Workforce retention and engagement are top competitive factors.
- Recognition helps attract new hires and strengthen morale.
- Data-driven insight leads to better performance and culture.
PROGRAM STATUS: Pre-Launch
The Employer of Choice Program is currently in pre-launch as we prepare for the upcoming assessment cycle.
● Assessment launch: March 2
● Employer of Choice Awards: April 28 – Save the Date!
Manufacturers can sign up and prepare now to be notified when the assessment opens.
Your commitment to workforce excellence sets the standard across the state.
What is an Employer of Choice?
What Is Employer of Choice?
Employer of Choice is a data-driven improvement and recognition initiative built specifically for manufacturing environments. It is not a “best places to work” popularity contest, and it is not based on marketing narratives or employee perks alone.
Instead, it provides manufacturers with:
● A structured assessment grounded in real manufacturing operations
● Insight informed by both leadership input and employee feedback
● Benchmarking that reflects manufacturing-specific workforce realities
IMA offers a no-cost, online assessment to help manufacturers gain clarity first — and recognition second.
Why It Matters
Manufacturers across Idaho are navigating real workforce pressures:
● Recruiting skilled talent into manufacturing careers
● Retaining experienced employees
● Developing leaders, supervisors, and technical talent
● Adapting to changing expectations around training, benefits, and culture
Employer of Choice helps manufacturers step back and see the full picture by combining:
● Leadership perspective
● Direct employee feedback
● Manufacturing-relevant benchmarks
The result is a balanced, honest view of what’s working — and where targeted improvements can deliver the greatest return for both people and performance.
What’s in it for you?
Attain Data-Driven Insights to Fuel Success
Use the assessment to pinpoint and tackle key recruitment and retention obstacles.
Enhance Employee Engagement & Satisfaction
Empower your workforce by leveraging the built-in engagement survey to build a culture that drives performance.
Boost Retention & Increase Profitability
Let the assessment help you reduce turnover by setting clear benchmarks today that drive better outcomes tomorrow. Achieve higher profitability through reduced turnover costs and better productivity.
Be Recognized & Build Your Employer Branding
Your path to being named a top employer starts here—complete the assessment and you could be honored as a leading employer at this year’s Idaho Manufacturing Tradeshow & Conference.
Measure What Matters – in Three Simple Steps
Step 1: Employer Assessment (90%)
Leaders complete a brief online survey covering policies, benefits, training, and safety systems.
Step 2: Employee Engagement Survey (10%)
Employees confidentially share their workplace experience — giving an authentic view of culture and leadership.
Step 3: Results & Recognition
You receive a comprehensive report, improvement recommendations, and an official designation.
Recognition Levels:
🏅 Gold – 85-100 🥈 Silver – 75-84 🥉 Bronze – 65-74
What You’ll Receive
After completing the Employer of Choice assessment, participating manufacturers receive:
● A customized results report with clear, easy-to-interpret findings
● Benchmarking against peer manufacturers (see note below)
● Insight into workforce strengths, gaps, and contributing factors
● Root-cause analysis tied to retention, engagement, and performance
● Prioritized, practical recommendations to guide next steps
● Recognition levels (Gold, Silver, Bronze) that can be used in recruiting, branding, and communications
Results go beyond scores — they provide direction.
How to Become an Employer of Choice
Workers seek quality jobs, and companies that prioritize job quality become employers of choice.
Today’s workforce seeks more than just a paycheck—they want a workplace that supports their growth and success. Becoming an employer of choice involves more than offering a good benefits package. It requires adopting effective practices that enhance employee morale, engagement, and productivity.
To guide manufacturers on this journey, IMA provides a no-cost online assessment that delivers valuable benchmarking data. With these insights, employers can identify strengths, address areas needing improvement, and take informed steps to attract and retain high-performing talent.
The Assessment
The assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s current state in employment practices, identifying key factors that contribute to its status as an employer of choice. It analyzes HR metrics including recruitment and hiring strategies, employee turnover rates, revenue per employee, and promotion practices.
Beyond data, it includes an employee engagement survey that evaluates motivation, engagement, and perceptions of company culture. This dual perspective gives organizations a clear view of strengths and opportunities for growth.
The Idaho Manufacturer Employer of Choice Survey is structured into six main sections:
- Recruitment, Hiring, Turnover, Growth & Promotion
- Upskilling and Skill Building
- Benefits
- Worker Financial Wellness
- Employee Support and Working Environment
- Employee Engagement Survey