Recipients of 2019 BWIC Inspire Awards Recognized

  • Posted on

Nora Kelly, assistant project manager at Consigli Construction Co., and Kim Silvestri, a project executive at BOND, have both been recognized as recipients of the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts’ Building Women in Construction 2019 Inspire Awards. The awards are designed to recognize and celebrate the most exemplary women in construction who demonstrate leadership, generosity, innovation and unwavering commitment to their careers, colleagues and industry. Kelly was selected a winner of the Rising Star of the Year Award. She has worked on laboratories for AbbVie Bioresearch Corporation and UMass Medical Center and has focused on several projects at Beth Israel … Read more

Filed under: eNews, Movers & ShakersTagged with: , , ,

Proposal to Create New Temporary Worker Visa System for Construction Will Boost Economy

  • Posted on

The CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, urged Congress to act quickly on the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act that was introduced by Pennsylvania Congressmen Lloyd Smucker. The measure would establish the only federal temporary visa program for construction, among other industries covered by the measure. The association is urging members of Congress to support the measure. “The shortage of available, qualified workers in many parts of the country threatens to undermine continued economic growth,” Sandherr said, noting that 80 percent of construction firms reported last year they were having a hard time finding … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , ,

Large Job Gain in January, Association Survey Shows Ongoing Demand But Workers Hard to Find

  • Posted on

Construction employment decreased by 31,000 jobs in February as extreme winter weather gripped much of the nation. However, continuing year-over-year employment and wage increases that exceed those in other industries suggest there has been no letup in demand for projects, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “The decline in construction employment in February follows an oversized increase in January of 53,000 employees,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That suggests contractors may have been able to bring workers on board sooner than normal and had less need to hire in … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

Construction Spending Slips in December, Yearly Totals Increase in Most Segments

  • Posted on

Construction spending declined by 0.6 percent from November to December but increased from a year earlier in most major categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors. The new spending data shows strong overall demand for construction services, but association officials cautioned that labor shortages could undermine continued growth for the industry. “This data shows moderate and balanced growth across residential, private nonresidential and public construction segments,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That fits with what contractors say they expect for 2019, as the association’s survey in January revealed.” Construction spending totaled … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

Construction Employment Climbs by 52K in January to 11-Year Peak

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased by 52,000 jobs in January and by 338,000 jobs, or 4.7 percent, over the past year, while the latest reading on construction spending showed moderate increases in all major categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged government officials to strengthen career and technical education programs and facilitate immigration for workers with construction skills before a worker shortage stalls completion of needed infrastructure. “There has been no letup in demand for construction projects—or workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Even though the industry added … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,