Construction employers added 16,000 jobs and the sector’s unemployment rate fell to 7 percent, the lowest rate for September in years, according to an analysis released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the construction employment gains come as more firms report having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to fill available positions, citing the lack of local vocational training programs, especially at the secondary level. “While we are eager to see even more construction employment gains, there is no denying the fact that the industry has been in recovery mode for much of the past … Read more

Construction employment expanded in 220 metro areas, declined in 73 and was stagnant in 46 between August 2013 and August 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials added that construction spending climbed to $961 billion from $915.3 billion between August 2013 and August 2014, a 5 percent increase, according to federal data also released. “Even as construction employment continues to rebound in many parts of the country, other areas continue to lose ground, or like Phoenix, backslide,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Similarly, while … Read more

Construction firms added jobs in 36 states between August 2013 and August 2014, while construction employment increased in 28 states between July and August, according to an analysis of Labor Department data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted construction activity continues to spread across most of the nation even, as employment gains remain uneven by month and state. “The number of states with increases in construction employment over the last 12 months moderated in August but remained strongly positive as construction activity continues to spread across most of the nation,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief … Read more