Construction employment increased in 287 out of 358 metro areas (80 percent) between August 2017 and August 2018, declined in 35 (10 percent) and was unchanged in 36, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that further gains depend on finding enough qualified workers and urged federal officials to improve career and technical education funding and reform immigration policies. “The increases in construction employment have been showing up in more and more metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Moreover, the gains should continue. Three … Read more
Construction Employment Rises by 23K in August, 297K for Year as Labor Shortages Prevent Firms from Hiring
Construction employment increased by 23,000 jobs in August and by 297,000 jobs over the past year, reaching a 10-year high, while the industry’s unemployment rate stood at an all-time low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Even as firms continued to expand, a new report finds that most firms are struggling to find enough workers to keep up with demand. “The construction industry continues to add workers and increase pay at greater rates than the economy as a whole, with job gains spread across both residential and non-residential construction,” said Ken … Read more
Construction Employment Reaches 10-Year High, Industry Unemployment Sets Record Low
Construction employment increased by 19,000 jobs in July and by 303,000 jobs over the past year, reaching a 10-year high, and the industry’s unemployment rate and level hit an all-time low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said it was likely firms would have added even more workers if they could find qualified candidates to hire. “The construction industry has added workers at nearly three times the rate of the economy as a whole, and the job gains are showing up in both residential and nonresidential construction,” said Ken … Read more
Construction Employment Rises in 45 States, D.C. from July 2017 to July 2018
Forty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between July 2017 and July 2018, while 29 states and D.C. added construction jobs between June and July, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department. Association officials cautioned that continued job gains may depend on swiftly implementing new training and education legislation to equip students and workers to enter the industry. “Construction job gains over the past year were more widespread across the country than at any time since the beginning of 2016,” said chief economist Ken Simonson. “These results show that contractors … Read more
Construction Employment Rises in 35 States, D.C. from February 2017 to February 2018
Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between February 2017 and February 2018, while 38 states added construction jobs between January and February, according to a recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials praised the latest Congressional spending bill for funding career and technical education to help young workers get into the industry. “The construction industry continues to add employees in most of the nation, despite a shortage of workers with construction experience,” said chief economist Ken Simonson. “But job openings are growing, as contractors encounter a shrinking pool … Read more