Stephen E. Sandherr announces his retirement as CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, effective March 31. Sandherr has been CEO of the association for the commercial construction industry for 27 years and has served it for 37 years in various capacities. The association’s current chief operating officer, Jeffrey Shoaf will serve as the association’s next CEO. Shoaf, who has been COO since 2017, joined AGC in 1994. He is a graduate of James Madison University and, prior to joining AGC, was a staff member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Prior to being named to his current … Read more
Construction Employment Rises by 11,000 Jobs in September, Labor Conditions Remain Tight
The construction industry added 11,000 jobs in September as unemployment rates for the sector remained at historically low levels, prompting contractors to raise pay faster than for other jobs, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the number of people working on nonresidential construction projects declined for the month as firms struggle to find enough workers to hire amid tight labor conditions. “Construction firms have plenty of projects but a dip in nonresidential employment last month shows how hard it has been to find enough skilled workers,” … Read more
Construction Employment Rises In 43 States & D.C.
Construction employment increased in 43 states and the District of Columbia in September from a year earlier, while 28 states and D.C. added construction employees from August to September, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the month-over-month dips in construction employment in some parts of the country were likely caused by firms struggling to find enough workers to replace retiring ones amid labor shortages. Between September 2022 and September 2023, 43 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while industry employment declined in seven states. Texas added … Read more
Construction Industry Kicks Off Week-Long Focus on Diversity & Inclusion
The Associated General Contractors of America kicked off its support for the week-long, nationwide series of events called Construction Inclusion Week with a “toolbox talk” at the new Kansas City Current stadium project in Missouri. The event was one of many association efforts to get more women and Black Americans into high-paying construction careers. Construction Inclusion Week is a three-year-old, industry-led initiative that asks construction firms across the country to organize activities that are designed to make their teams more inclusive to encourage greater diversity in the industry. Shea De Lutis, a national officer for the Associated General Contractors of … Read more
Lean Construction Approach Powers More Unified, Efficient Project Team
By Ken Osmun Construction projects are rarely completed without a hitch, but the unanticipated issues don’t have to cause delays and cost overruns. With the Lean construction approach, a project team can more successfully and easily navigate around obstacles — and even prevent many of them from arising in the first place. Delays spring from countless variables and logistics. One company may have trouble obtaining a needed element such as a lighting fixture because of a hold-up with the supplier. Another company may anticipate being temporarily short-staffed in an upcoming week. Enter Lean construction. The method is a series of … Read more