The construction industry added 21,000 jobs in January, as a second consecutive month of unseasonably mild-winter weather helped the industry raise employment to a two-year high, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the gains remain fragile amid declining public sector investments in construction and infrastructure. “Although it's great news that the industry has added 52,000 jobs in the past two months, the unemployment rate in construction is still double that of the overall economy, and construction employment remains at 1996 levels,” said Ken Simonson, the … Read more

Construction employment increased in 148 out of 337 metropolitan areas between December 2010 and December 2011, decreased in 128 and stayed level in 61, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The construction employment increases were likely fueled by a 4.3 percent increase in total construction spending between December 2010 and December 2011, driven largely by growing private-sector demand, association officials noted. “Many communities are benefitting from growing demand from the private sector for new construction activity,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Unfortunately, too many other areas are … Read more

Construction employment rose in 28 states and the District of Columbia between December 2010 and December 2011, the largest number of states with year-over-year employment gains since November 2007, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. In contrast, 24 states plus D.C. lost jobs between November and December 2011, while 23 states added construction jobs for the month. “It is encouraging that a clear majority of states added jobs during 2011, but it is too early to conclude that the industry is on a steady upswing,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief … Read more