Survey Reports Construction Workforce Shortages Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels, Coronavirus Continues to Impact Projects + Supply Chains

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Construction firms are struggling to find enough qualified workers to hire even as they continue to be impacted by pandemic-induced project delays and supply chain disruptions, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk. The survey results underscore how the coronavirus pandemic has created constraints on the demand for work even as it limits the number of workers available to hire. “Market conditions are nowhere near as robust as they were prior to the onset of the pandemic,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “At the same time, the … Read more

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Association Reports Prices for Key Construction Materials Increase, Contractors Struggle to Deliver On-Time

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The prices contractors pay for construction materials continued to increase in August, while many firms report struggles to get those materials delivered on time, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data. Association officials urged Washington officials to take steps to help address the challenges impacting the entire supply chain and driving the price escalations. “July was the seventh-straight month of double-digit price increases for construction inputs,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Adding to the challenge, contractors are struggling to pass along even a fraction of these added costs onto their clients.” … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Loses 20,300 Jobs in August, Says ABC

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The construction industry lost 3,000 jobs on net in August, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the monthly setback, the industry has recovered 881,000 (79.2%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic. Nonresidential construction employment declined by 20,300 positions on net, with all three subcategories registering losses for the month. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors lost 9,200 jobs and heavy and civil engineering lost 8,300. Nonresidential building employment dipped by 2,800 positions. The construction unemployment rate fell sharply to 4.6% in August. Unemployment across all … Read more

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Association Reports Construction Spending Posts Small Increase, Coronavirus + Soaring Costs, Supply Disruptions Threaten Further Gains

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Total construction spending ticked up from June to July, as gains in residential and public construction offset a dip in private nonresidential projects, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America recently released. Officials noted, however, that challenges remain for the industry, particularly because of continuing problems with coronavirus flare-ups and supply-chain disruptions. “Although nonresidential construction is no longer in free fall, many categories face continuing challenges,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The rapid spread of the delta variant of COVID-19 is causing a pullback in re-openings and travel that … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Adds 2,900 Jobs in July, Says ABC

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The nation’s construction industry added 11,000 jobs on net in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the industry has recovered 886,000 (79.6%) of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic. Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 2,900 positions on net, though more than 100% of the gains were among nonresidential specialty trade contractors, which added 7,500 jobs. The nonresidential building (-2,500) and heavy and civil engineering (-2,100) segments both lost jobs in July. The construction unemployment rate fell to 6.1% in July. Unemployment across all … Read more

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