Data on Severity of Construction Worker Shortages to be Released Aug. 31

  • Posted on

At 1 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Aug. 31, the Associated General Contractors of America will release new data showing the severity of construction worker shortages nationwide and by region and state* during a media conference call at 800-874-4559 (verbal pass code TURM15731). The new data is based on a comprehensive survey of construction firms and includes data on how many firms are coping with labor shortages and what some of the possible causes are for tight labor conditions. Stephen Sandherr, the association’s CEO, will release the new worker shortage data and identify measures public officials should take to increase the … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

Construction Employment Increases in June Year-Over-Year Amid Qualified Worker Shortage

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased in 228 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 48 and declined in 82 between June 2015 and June 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged Congress to act on legislation to reform and increase federal funding for career and technical education to encourage more high school students to pursue high-paying careers in construction. “Contractors are adding employees in most parts of the country, while construction job losses are primarily in areas that are most affected by the steep decline in … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: ,

Construction Employment Rises Year-Over-Year, Qualified Workers Grow Scarce

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased in 39 states between June 2015 and June 2016, although half the states shed construction jobs between May and June, according to analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the flattening of monthly employment gains and losses indicates the urgency of beefing up programs to attract, train and retain construction workers. “Construction demand is still growing strongly in all regions and among many types of owners,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But contractors appear to be struggling to fill jobs in the short run.” … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

Construction Employment Stalls in June

  • Posted on

Construction employment was unchanged from May to June, but an increase in hourly pay and longer workweeks, along with shrinking numbers of unemployed construction workers, suggest contractors would hire more workers if they were available, according to recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the lack of available qualified workers for firms to hire appears to be holding back employment growth and urged Congress to pass legislation to reform and increase funding for career and technical education. “Construction employment stalled in June after declining in April and May, but unemployment among construction workers is at … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: ,

Construction Spending Slips in May, Rises First Five Months of 2016

  • Posted on

Construction spending dipped in May but posted strong, broad-based gains for the first five months of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the construction spending gains come amid signs that contractors are having an increasingly hard time finding qualified workers to hire. “Mild winter weather in many regions early in 2016, followed by extreme rains in some locations in May, has probably distorted monthly spending patterns but shouldn’t mask the robust widespread growth in demand for construction so far this year,” said Ken … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,