Construction Employment in January Reaches Highest Level Since 2008

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Construction employment increased by 36,000 jobs in January to the highest level since November 2008 as employers increased pay in an effort to address a chronic worker shortage, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. The association urged public officials to strengthen training and education programs to prepare more workers for careers in the high-paying construction field. “This report aligns with what contractors have been telling the association—that the construction industry is still eager to add workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The employment gains would be even larger if … Read more

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New Credentialing Portal Provides Construction Career Opportunities for Veterans

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ALACHUA, Fla. – Part of the Build Your Future military initiative, NCCER has recently released the first of its kind military credentialing portal. The Hard Hat Heroes Credentialing Portal allows veterans to receive NCCER credit for skills and training they already received while in the service. Each individual that meets the criteria can fill out an online application and submit documentation to be reviewed and potentially entered into the NCCER Registry System. This service is provided free of charge. Today, alignments are available for 10 Army MOS codes, and alignments for other military branches are in development. All alignments are … Read more

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Dodge Momentum Index Moves Higher in January

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NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Dodge Momentum Index rose 3.9 percent in January to 142.6 (2000=100) from its revised December reading of 137.3. The momentum index is a monthly measure of the first (or initial) report for nonresidential building projects in planning, which have been shown to lead construction spending for nonresidential buildings by a full year. The move higher in January was due to a 12.1 percent increase in institutional planning outweighing a 1.0 percent decline in commercial planning intentions. Despite the decline in commercial planning in January, that portion of the momentum index remains near its eight-year high, … Read more

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A Chat with Tiffany Boston, Assistant Superintendent at Skanska

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Team building, applying military practices on the civilian jobsite By Chris Maday Schmidt With a background in construction, contract management and safety and risk management, Tiffany Boston, assistant superintendent at Skanska, first became interested in the construction industry while she attended West Point and took engineering classes. Boston shares a snapshot of her life as a superintendent in the Army in Bagram, Afghanistan, and her techniques for team building and fostering safety on the jobsite. (Q) Your background includes several military safety certificates—how have you applied your safety expertise in your position with Skanska? That training and experience gave me … Read more

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Not All Vapor Barriers are Created Equal

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By Wes Robb Vapor barriers…are they all the same? What is the difference between a vapor barrier and a moisture barrier? Isn’t a water vapor barrier the same as soil and gas vapor barrier? There is a good deal of confusion in the industry about vapor barriers. The terms vapor barrier and moisture barriers are often used interchangeably when they are very different elements designed for very different purposes.  Adding to the confusion is the fact that many label moisture barriers as “water vapor barriers” as a way to distinguish them from soil gas vapor barriers. There is a good … Read more

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