Dipping into retirement pool to fill worker shortage gap By Mary Kaeding Construction companies around the country always need to manage their project schedules around seasonal weather conditions, during the school year and sometimes over extended holiday periods. For example, crews will find the arctic blast in the north quite challenging to complete certain outdoor projects, so work is assigned accordingly. Similarly, major educational construction may not be feasible while schools are in session, so work is scheduled during the summertime. So how do construction companies – especially when there are labor shortages – find and hire seasoned workers for … Read more
AGC Recognizes Winner of Build America Award for APS Design-Build Project
Sundt Construction, Inc. was recently awarded its 23rd Associated General Contractors of America Build America Award for its work on the APS Four Corners Selective Catalytic Reduction Retrofits. The project won the 2019 JLT Build America in the Environmental Enhancement category. The award was presented during the AGC’s 100th Annual Convention Awards Luncheon in Denver, Colorado. The Build America awards honor AGC members who build the nation’s most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure and federal and heavy divisions. The Design-Build project added four selective catalytic reduction systems for nitrogen oxide emission control for Units … Read more
Construction Employment Increases in 43 States Between April 2018, April 2019
Forty-three states added construction jobs between April 2018 and April 2019, while construction employment increased in 32 states and the District of Columbia from March to April, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the strong gains show demand for workers remains robust and they urged federal officials to enact immigration reforms to boost the supply of qualified workers. “Construction employment rose in most states over the past year, yet the record number of job openings at the end of March implies contractors would add even more workers if … Read more
AGC Awards 2019 Diverse Business of the Year Award to Ujamaa Construction
Chicago, Illinois’ Ujamaa Construction was named as the 2019 Diverse Business of the Year award winner by the Associated General Contractors of America, association officials announced. The association also awarded Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards to Austin Commercial, Shoemaker Construction Company, Central Builders, United Rentals and the AGC of Missouri. “These awards recognize firms that have established outstanding programs that have helped make the construction industry a more diverse, inclusive and better sector in which to work,” said Eddie Stewart, the association’s president and president and CEO of Caddell Construction in Montgomery, Alabama. “By making our industry more diverse, we … Read more
Construction Employment Increases in 218 Metros from March 2018 to March 2019
Construction employment grew in 218, or 61 percent, out of 358 metro areas between March 2018 and March 2019, declined in 83 (23 percent) and was unchanged in 57, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, new federal data on construction spending showed mixed results, as a steep decline in single-family homebuilding offset increases in multifamily and nonresidential construction. Association officials said the continuing demand for most construction underscores the need for federal enactment of immigration reforms to boost the supply of workers. “Fewer metros than in recent months … Read more