Construction Industry Kicks Off Week-Long Focus on Diversity & Inclusion

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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

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Lean Construction Approach Powers More Unified, Efficient Project Team

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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

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Construction Firms Add 19,000 Jobs in July as Sector’s Unemployment Level Hits 3.9%, Average Sector Pay Increases To $34.24 Per Hour

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The construction industry added 19,000 jobs in July even as the sector’s unemployment rate increased, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released. Association officials noted that tight labor conditions are bringing more previously employed construction workers back into the job market as firms continue to boost pay levels. Construction employment in July totaled 7,971,000, seasonally adjusted, an addition of 19,000 compared to June. The sector has added 198,000 jobs or 2.5% during the past 12 months. Nonresidential construction firms — nonresidential building and specialty trade contractors along with heavy and civil engineering construction firms — … Read more

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Unemployment Rate Falls to Lowest Rate for Month, Craft Pay Levels Rise, Says AGC

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The construction sector added 23,000 jobs in June while the sector’s unemployment rate fell to the lowest rate ever for the month and pay levels in the industry continued to rise, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released. Association officials said there appears to be plenty of demand for construction services and that employers likely would have added even more jobs if they could find more workers to hire. “There was no letup in demand for construction workers in June, while the supply of available workers remained exceptionally tight,” said Ken Simonson, … Read more

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AGC Officials Report Demand for Construction Remains Robust

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Construction employment increased in 45 states in February from a year earlier, while 24 states added construction jobs from January to February, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the annual job gains are a sign that demand for construction remains robust and continued to caution that labor shortages are holding many firms back. “Unfavorable weather may have held back construction in many states last month compared to January,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But construction employment continued to expand almost everywhere in February compared … Read more

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