Construction Employment Rises by 7K in September Amidst Tight Labor Market

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased by 7,000 jobs in September and by 156,000, or 2.1%, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience reached a record low for September, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the modest increase in employment likely reflects tight labor conditions and urged federal officials to increase funding for career and technical education and pass immigration reform. “Contractors foresee plenty of projects to bid on, and nearly three-fourths of firms expect to add workers during the next twelve months, but … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , , ,

Construction Employment Grows in 252 out of 358 Metro Areas from August 2018 to August 2019, says AGC

  • Posted on

Construction employment grew in 252 out of 358 metro areas between August 2018 and August 2019, declined in 60 and was unchanged in 46, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that while firms are finding ways to add staff, a recent survey found 80% of contractors are having a hard time finding enough workers to hire. “Construction firms would likely be adding even more jobs if they could find more qualified workers to hire,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “But tight labor market conditions … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , ,

Construction Employment Increases in 39 States, D.C. from August 2018 to August 2019

  • Posted on

Thirty-nine states added construction jobs between August 2018 and August 2019, while construction employment increased in 29 states from July to August, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said that construction workforce shortages identified in a survey the association released last month may have kept more states from adding construction jobs this past month. “Even more states probably would have posted gains in construction employment if firms could find enough people to hire,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “They are finding most craft positions hard to fill, … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: ,

Labor Shortages Likely Held Back Additional Hiring, New AGC Survey Reports

  • Posted on

Construction employment grew in 255, or 71%, out of 358 metro areas between July 2018 and July 2019, declined in 56 and was unchanged in 47, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said a newly released workforce survey showed the employment gains would likely have been even more widespread if firms could find more qualified workers to hire, and they urged federal officials to bolster career training programs. “Demand for construction has not slackened in most metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “In fact, … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: ,

Construction Firms Continue to Boost Pay to Attract Limited Pool of Available, Qualified Workers

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased by 4,000 jobs in July and by 202,000, or 2.8%, over the past 12 months, while the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience rose, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that many firms likely would have added more employees last month if more were available. “Job gains in construction have slowed markedly in recent months but the industry is still increasing employment nearly twice as much as other employers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The recent slowdown in hiring and construction spending … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: , , ,