Construction Employment Increases in 235 of 358 Metro Areas Year-Over-Year

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Construction employment rose between April 2015 and April 2016 in two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas, while spending on most types of structures increased for the year despite a drop in the latest month, according to a new analysis of federal data on employment and construction spending recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that many parts of the country continue to benefit from strong demand for construction services. “Construction growth remains widely distributed by location and project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, job gains were uneven: many states included metros … Read more

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Construction Spending Posts Solid Monthly, Year-Over-Year Increases in March

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Construction spending increased by 8 percent in March compared to a year earlier and was also up slightly between February and March amid growing demand for many types of construction, as the spending total hit the highest level since October 2007, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the growth comes amid strong private-sector demand and new federal investments in surface transportation programs. “Construction should be a significant contributor to economic growth in the remainder of 2016 and beyond,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Right now the biggest challenge for … Read more

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Industry Pulse

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Grooming the next generation, embracing ‘smart’ tools and technology By Justin Blubaugh The strong demand for quality superintendents is greater than it has ever been with companies and headhunters, alike, recruiting top talent. Contractors need to be diligent in retaining their current superintendents and explore ways to bring on new superintendents and train current talent into superintendent roles. According to the AGC of America’s 2015 Worker Shortage Survey Analysis, out of 1,400 survey respondents, 86 percent of firms report having trouble filling available positions, up from 83 percent in 2014 and 81 percent in 2013. The main reasons for these … Read more

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Construction Firms Add 1,000 Jobs in April, AGC Career Center Launches New Program

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Construction employment rose in April by 1,000 for the month and 261,000 for the year as mild winter weather and labor shortages impacted the early spring hiring season for many firms, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. “Some of the slowdown in hiring last month was due to mild winter weather that allowed contractors to hire or retain workers in the first quarter instead of waiting until spring,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Yet reports from contractors and recent Census Bureau data on construction spending through March suggest industry demand for workers will … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases, Many Areas Benefit from Growing Project Demand

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Construction employment increased in 244 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 44 and declined in 70 between March 2015 and March 2016, according to a recent analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new figures show that the construction sector, in most parts of the country, continues to recover from its years-long downturn. “With more than two-thirds of the nation’s metro areas adding construction jobs it is clear that the demand for construction is broad-based geographically and by project type,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, adding … Read more

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