Labor Shortages Likely Held Back Additional Hiring, New AGC Survey Reports

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Construction employment grew in 255, or 71%, out of 358 metro areas between July 2018 and July 2019, declined in 56 and was unchanged in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said a newly released workforce survey showed the employment gains would likely have been even more widespread if firms could find more qualified workers to hire, and they urged federal officials to bolster career training programs. “Demand for construction has not slackened in most metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In fact, … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises in August, Unemployment Rate near Historic Lows

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Construction employment increased by 14,000 jobs in August and by 177,000, or 2.4%, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience remained near historic lows, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that 80% of contractors reported they were having a hard time finding enough qualified hourly craft workers to hire according to the results of a survey the association recently released. “Construction employment gains would likely have been higher if firms could find even more people to hire,” said Ken Simonson, the … Read more

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July Construction Unemployment Rates Remain Low, Says ABC

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In July, estimated not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates rose nationally and in 38 states, fell in eight states and remained unchanged in four on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. For the third consecutive month, all 50 states posted construction unemployment rates less than 10%. The construction industry employed 201,000 more workers nationally compared to July 2018, despite a rise in the July 2019 national NSA construction unemployment rate of 0.4%, from 3.4% to 3.8%, according to BLS numbers. “In July, most of the East … Read more

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ABC Provides Mid-Year Economic Outlook for Nonresidential Construction

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More than 10 years after the end of the most severe financial crisis since the Great Depression, the U.S. economy is again making history by continuing its longest-ever expansion. Nevertheless, emerging weakness in business investment has been hinting at softening outlays, giving commercial and industrial construction contractors cause for concern, according to a mid-year economic outlook by Anirban Basu, chief economist of Associated Builders and Contractors. “Given that every expansion in U.S. history has ended in recession, leaders of construction firms are rightly wondering when the record-setting expansion will end,” said Basu. “Looking at conditions on the ground, it likely … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 40 States, D.C. from July 2018 to July 2019

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Forty states added construction jobs between July 2018 and July 2019, while construction employment increased in 25 states from June to July, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the new jobs totals indicate there is a need for new federal investments in career and technical education programs, along with immigration reform. “Demand for projects, and the workers to build them, shows no sign of letting up in most states, and contractors continue to increase headcount when they can find qualified workers,” stated chief economist Ken Simonson. “But job … Read more

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