Construction employment held steady in June at the highest level in six years, while the number of unemployed workers with construction experience fell to the lowest total since 2001, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new data indicates contractors are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to meet growing demand in many parts of the country. “Expanding job opportunities throughout the economy make it increasingly difficult for contractors to find experienced construction workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “This scarcity shows up in record work weeks … Read more

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Rider Levett Bucknall reports that the mainland U.S. construction industry continued its slow growth forward in the last quarter, with no signs of gaining momentum. The report also states that activity for construction put-in-place increased just 1.7 percent above June 2014 figures while the unemployment rate for construction laborers increased during the same period, falling to 7.5 percent in April 2015. The firm reported its findings in its newly released Second Quarter 2015 USA Construction Cost Report. Rider Levett Bucknall tracks construction costs in 12 major U.S. cities. From Jan. 1 through April 1, the national average … Read more

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Construction activities are expected to grow at 5 percent in 2015, leveling off from the previous forecast of 8 percent in Q1 2015, according to the Q2 Construction Outlook recently released by FMI Corporation. Although the prediction is significantly lower than last quarter, the outlook reports the highest total for construction put in place since 2008. “Construction spending continues to build on the rapid growth experienced in the industry last year,” said Chris Daum, senior managing director and president of Investment Banking at FMI Corporation.   The report provides forecasts for 17 sectors across residential, non-residential … Read more