New Monthly Job Loss Data Foreshadows More Layoffs Amid Project Cancellations, State Cutbacks, Reports AGC

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Construction employment declined in 20 states and D.C. in March, aligning with the results of a recent survey by the Associated General Contractors of America that found growing layoffs amid new project cancellations and state funding constraints. Association officials warned that these cancellations mean massive job losses are likely to occur soon in even more states unless Congress helps cover rapidly declining state revenues, adds funding for Paycheck Protection Program loans and takes other measures to help the industry recover. “While construction employment declined in many parts of the country last month, far more states, local governments and project owners … Read more

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COVID-19 Cuts Nonresidential Construction Employment in March, Says ABC

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Construction industry employment declined by 29,000 in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction employment declined by 24,600 in March. All three nonresidential segments registered job losses, with the largest decrease experienced in nonresidential building (-10,700) followed closely by heavy and civil engineering (-10,200). Nonresidential specialty trade lost 3,700 jobs on net. The construction unemployment rate was 6.9% in March, up 1.7 percentage points from the same time one year ago. Unemployment across all industries rose from 3.5% in February to 4.4% last month, a direct … Read more

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AGC Reports Construction Employment Increases in February, Industry’s Unemployment Rate Sets New Low

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Construction employment increased by 42,000 jobs in February and by 223,000 or 3% over the past 12 months, as the industry’s unemployment rate hit a new February low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said some of the gains were attributable to mild winter weather in many parts of the country last month but added that the main reason for the gains was strong demand for construction services. “Contractors are off to a fast start in 2020, adding 91,000 jobs in the first two months—the most in nearly two … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases by 44K in January, 142K Over 12 Months

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Construction employment increased by 44,000 jobs in January and by 142,000 over the past 12 months, as the industry’s unemployment rate hit a new January low, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the employment gains are happening at a time when most construction firms expect demand for all types of construction to remain strong.   “Construction accounted for one-fifth of all jobs added in January, even though the industry makes up less than 5% of total employment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, noting that the … Read more

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AGC Reports on December Construction Employment Analysis

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Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between December 2018 and December 2019, while construction employment increased in 29 states from November to December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data.  Officials added that most contractors expect to continue adding to their payrolls in 2020, according to the results of the association’s annual construction forecast. “Construction employment consistently expanded in at least two-thirds of the states throughout 2019, even though contractors reported difficulty in finding qualified workers all year long,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “As long … Read more

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