Thirty-five states added construction jobs between September 2015 and September 2016 while construction employment increased in only 21 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to a recent analysis of Labor Department data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said contractors still report difficulty filling construction jobs, and they urged Congress to complete action on a bill that would help more students gain the skills to qualify for good-paying careers in construction. “The list of states that are adding construction jobs has been shrinking, yet contractors generally report they are busy now … Read more

Construction employment slipped from July to August for the fourth time in five months, but year-over-year job gains and recently released spending data suggest the recent weakness is due to firms having a hard time finding workers rather than lack of demand, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said its recent survey that found two-thirds of contractors are having a hard time finding qualified craft workers underscores the need for measures to boost recruitment and training on new workers. “A variety of indicators suggest contractors would be adding to headcount if they could … Read more