Almost Three-Fourths of Construction Firms Plan to Expand Headcount in 2017

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Seventy-three percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2017 as contractors expect private and public sector demand to grow in all market segments, according to survey results recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. Despite the general optimism outlined in Expecting a Post-Election Bump: The 2017 Construction Industry Hiring and Business Outlook, many firms report they remain worried about the availability of qualified workers and rising health and regulatory costs. Contractors had a positive outlook, on net, for all 13 market segments included in the survey. Respondents are most … Read more

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Over 30 States Add Construction Jobs Year Over Year November 2015, 2016

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Thirty-four states added construction jobs between November 2015 and November 2016 while construction employment increased in 29 states and the District of Columbia during the past month, according to an analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said even as firms in many starts are adding jobs amid growing residential and public sector construction investments, the number of states adding construction jobs for the year has declined compared to a year ago. “Most of the construction employment gains are coming as firms in many states work to keep pace with growing … Read more

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Construction Spending Increases, Residential and Public Gains Offset Drop in Private Nonresidential Projects

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Construction spending was mixed in October as a rebound in residential and public categories outweighed a downturn in most private nonresidential segments, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that public investments in infrastructure remain down compared to last year while private-sector demand should remain robust amid continued economic growth. “It’s encouraging to see a rebound in public construction in recent months, but most infrastructure categories are down substantially over the past year,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Meanwhile, private nonresidential construction still appears to have good prospects, assuming … Read more

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New National, State Construction Hiring and Business Forecasts to be Released During Media Call

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At 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 21, the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage will release their national and state* construction hiring and business forecasts for 2017 during a media conference call at 800-874-4559 (Canadian: 800-696-0876) (verbal pass code TURM25524). The forecasts, which are based on a comprehensive survey of construction firms nationwide, will include predictions of the scope of construction hiring, layoffs and labor market conditions. During the call, the association’s CEO Stephen Sandherr and Chief Economist Kenneth Simonson will release the forecasts and explain their significance for broader economic and employment growth for this year. Sage … Read more

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A Closer Look at the Skilled Labor Shortage

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The whys, tactics and what comes next By Bud LaRosa The construction industry is enjoying an enormous economic recovery. Many urban centers are dotted with cranes. There are several private and public projects on the drawing board and, last year, Congress passed a $1.1-trillion budget with $1.6 billion going toward the General Services Administration’s construction account. This 300 percent increase includes a doubling of the Department of Veterans Affairs construction budget to $1.2 billion. With projections for growth in 2017 forecasting the recovery to continue, one of the greatest threats that could derail the recovery is the lack of skilled … Read more

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