July Construction Unemployment Rate Lowest Since 2000

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WASHINGTON, D.C., — In July, not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates improved in 43 states and the nation, adding 209,000 workers on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. The national NSA construction unemployment rate of 4.5 percent was 1 percent lower than a year ago, the lowest July rate since 2000 when it was 4.4 percent. “The drop in the construction unemployment rate from July 2015 adds yet another month to the unbroken monthly series of year-over-year rate decreases that started in October 2010,” said economist Bernard … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in June Year-Over-Year Amid Qualified Worker Shortage

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Construction employment increased in 228 out of 358 metro areas, was unchanged in 48 and declined in 82 between June 2015 and June 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged Congress to act on legislation to reform and increase federal funding for career and technical education to encourage more high school students to pursue high-paying careers in construction. “Contractors are adding employees in most parts of the country, while construction job losses are primarily in areas that are most affected by the steep decline in … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises Year-Over-Year, Qualified Workers Grow Scarce

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Construction employment increased in 39 states between June 2015 and June 2016, although half the states shed construction jobs between May and June, according to analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the flattening of monthly employment gains and losses indicates the urgency of beefing up programs to attract, train and retain construction workers. “Construction demand is still growing strongly in all regions and among many types of owners,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “But contractors appear to be struggling to fill jobs in the short run.” … Read more

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Construction Employment Stalls in June

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Construction employment was unchanged from May to June, but an increase in hourly pay and longer workweeks, along with shrinking numbers of unemployed construction workers, suggest contractors would hire more workers if they were available, according to recent analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the lack of available qualified workers for firms to hire appears to be holding back employment growth and urged Congress to pass legislation to reform and increase funding for career and technical education. “Construction employment stalled in June after declining in April and May, but unemployment among construction workers is at … Read more

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Construction Employment Declines or Stagnates Between May 2015, 2016

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Construction employment declined or was stagnant in 131, or 37 percent, of 358 metro areas between May 2015 and May 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The data comes as years of underfunding have contributed to declining highway, transit and other public infrastructure just 60 years after President Eisenhower signed the first interstate highway act. The largest job losses from May 2015 to May 2016 were in Midland, Texas (-1,700 jobs, -7 percent), followed by Odessa, Texas (-1,300 jobs, -8 percent); Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas (-1,100 jobs, -6 percent); … Read more

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