Construction Industry Needs to Hire 430,000+ Craft Professionals in 2021, Says ABC

In 2021, construction companies will need to hire 430,000 more workers than they employed in 2020, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. The analysis also revealed that every $1 billion in extra construction spending generates an average of at least 5,700 construction jobs. “According to forecasts analyzed during the COVID-19 pandemic, an impressive 430,000 more construction workers still need to be hired in 2021 to meet the demand, evidence that the construction industry is powering America’s recovery and economic engine,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman. “ABC’s annual … Read more

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ABC Launches Construction Technology Marketplace to Grow Contractor Members’ Innovative Initiatives

Associated Builders and Contractors has launched of its inaugural Tech Marketplace, comprised of companies that provide construction technology and innovative digital solutions for ABC contractor members to advance and grow their technology strategies, offerings and abilities. “Technology helps our contractor members become safer, more profitable and primed to win more work,” said Matt Abeles, ABC’s vice president of construction technology and innovation. “The Tech Marketplace brings together a group of technology providers, selected by ABC’s Tech and Innovation Committee, ready to partner with ABC members to help them integrate construction technology and innovation into all aspects of their strategic initiatives. … Read more

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Construction Backlog and Contractor Optimism Rise to Start 2021, According to ABC Member Survey

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 7.5 months in January 2021, an increase of 0.2 months from its December 2020 reading, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Jan. 20 to Feb. 2. Despite the monthly uptick, backlog is 0.9 months lower than in January 2020. ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales and staffing levels increased in January and remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations of growth over the next six months. The index reading for profit margins remained below that threshold, slipping to 47.5 in January. “Though nonresidential … Read more

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Nonresidential Construction Employment Expands in October, says ABC

The construction industry added 84,000 net new jobs in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the last six months, the industry has added 789,000 jobs, recovering 73% of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic. Nonresidential construction employment added 59,700 jobs on net in October. All three nonresidential subcategories experienced increases; the largest was registered among nonresidential specialty trade contractors, which added 27,500 positions on net. Heavy and civil engineering added 18,800 jobs while nonresidential building added 13,400. The construction unemployment rate was 6.8% … Read more

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ABC Elects 2021 National Chair, Executive Committee

Associated Builders and Contractors’ board of directors elected Steve Klessig, vice president of architecture and engineering, Keller Inc., to serve as the 2021 ABC national chair during a meeting at the association’s annual Leadership Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Stephanie Schmidt, president, Poole Anderson Construction, was elected chair-elect and Milton Graugnard, executive vice president, Cajun Industries LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was elected secretary. “The ABC executive committee is committed to ABC’s value proposition to help our members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work,” said Michael … Read more

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