3 Strategies for Superintendents to Tackle Labor Shortage, Create Diverse Participation

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By Dannis Mitchell The Associated General Contractors of America reports that 89% of contractors are having a hard time finding craft workers and 61% said their firm’s projects are being delayed because of workforce shortages. The number of unfilled construction jobs nationwide neared its highest level in 20 years last July, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. And yet, those statistics also reveal an untapped labor market among minority and women business enterprise communities, with women representing only about 10% of the construction industry’s workforce and African Americans a mere 6%. Involving MWBE and other disadvantaged business enterprises … Read more

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Two-Thirds of Metro Areas Add Construction Jobs from October 2020 to October 2021

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Nearly two out of three U.S. metro areas added construction jobs between October 2020 and October 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials noted that the job gains would likely have been larger and more widespread if firms weren’t dealing with the twin challenges of supply chain problems and labor shortages. “While it is heartening that construction is recovering from the lows of 2020 in much of the country, the pandemic is still causing major supply-chain problems and is keeping some workers from seeking employment,” said Ken Simonson, the … Read more

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Survey Says: Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws with Nation’s 811 Utility Location System

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There are significant flaws with the current 811 utility location system according to a new survey of construction firms that perform any kind of underground excavation released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility firms are often very slow in coming out to even do locate and mark their underground lines. “Construction firms are doing their part to avoid hitting utility lines, but the current 811 system appears to be badly flawed,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Fixing the 811 system will go … Read more

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National Association Reports Construction Firms Add 44K Jobs in October, Struggle with Supply Chain Challenges

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The construction industry added 44,000 jobs between September and October as nonresidential construction firms posted back-to-back increases for the first time since January, according to an analysis of government date by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the employment gains were welcome news but cautioned that employment levels remain well-below pre-pandemic totals as firms struggle with supply chain problems, labor shortages and federal inaction on infrastructure funding. “It is encouraging to see continuing job growth in nonresidential construction but the industry remains far behind the overall economy in recovering all of the job losses from the pandemic,” … Read more

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One-Fifth Metro Areas Lost Construction Jobs between September 2020-2021, Reports AGC

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Nearly one-fifth of U.S. metro areas lost construction jobs between September 2020 and September 2021, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data. Association officials noted that the job losses are occurring in many metro areas as plans to boost investments in infrastructure languish in Washington and firms cope with shortages, delivery delays and construction materials price increases. “Many metro areas are having a hard time getting back to construction employment levels from last fall that were already low because of the pandemic,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The challenge is … Read more

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