The construction industry had 217,000 job openings on the last day of December 2024, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings are down by 217,000 from the same time last year. “Construction industry hiring slowed to an unprecedented pace in December,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The hiring rate fell to 3.6% for the month, the lowest level on record aside from the pandemic-affected … Read more
Construction Industry Must Attract 439,000 Workers in 2025, Says ABC
The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet anticipated demand for construction services, according to a proprietary model developed and recently released by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2026, the industry will need to bring in 499,000 new workers as spending picks up in response to presumed lower interest rates. “While the construction workforce has become younger and more plentiful in recent years, the industry still must attract 439,000 new workers in 2025 to balance supply and demand,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “If it fails to do so, industrywide … Read more
2025 Craft Instructor, Craft Professional and Young Professional of the Year Named by ABC
Associated Builders and Contractors announced the honorees for the 2025 Construction Workforce Awards: the Craft Instructor of the Year, Craft Professional of the Year and Young Professional of the Year. The three construction professionals are shaping the construction industry by highlighting lifelong career opportunities, emphasizing safe work practices and expanding skills-building education. This year’s winners are: Derek Robbins, HVAC director and sheet metal instructor, ABC Keystone chapter, Manheim, Pa., is the 2025 Craft Instructor of the Year Chris Weaver, site superintendent and electrical foreperson for Feyen Zylstra, Grand Rapids, Mich., is the 2025 Craft Professional of the Year Ray Wallace, … Read more
ABC Celebrates 75 Years of Building America
Associated Builders and Contractors will turn 75 on June 1, and to commemorate the milestone, ABC and its members will gather at several commemorative events, which begins with ABC Convention 2025 held Feb. 25-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. “For 75 years, members of Associated Builders and Contractors have built the places where communities across the nation learn, heal, play, live, pray and gather,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman. “ABC and its members have also helped build countless career dreams for their employees, while creating the conditions for them to do their work without incident and go home safer, … Read more
Nonresidential Construction Adds Modest 4,400 Jobs in January
The construction industry added 4,000 jobs on net in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 178,000 jobs, an increase of 2.2%. Nonresidential construction employment increased by 4,400 positions on net, with growth in 2 of the 3 subcategories. Nonresidential specialty trade added the most jobs, increasing by 5,600 positions, followed by nonresidential building, which added 1,100 jobs. Heavy and civil engineering lost 2,300 jobs last month. The construction unemployment rate rose to 6.5% in January. Unemployment across all industries … Read more