ABC Members Invest $1.6 Billion in Workforce Development Annually, New Survey Finds

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According to the results of Associated Builders and Contractors’ 2019 Workforce Development Survey, ABC members invested $1.6 billion to educate their employees in 2018, up from $1.1 billion in 2013. The 45% increase in spending resulted in nearly twice as many course attendees—more than 980,000—receiving craft, leadership and safety education to advance their careers in commercial and industrial construction. “The increase in spending on education demonstrates ABC member contractors’ commitment to developing employees, which is producing results in recruiting and retaining a skilled, safe and productive workforce,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC’s vice president of health, safety, education and workforce development. … Read more

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Construction Sees Minor Job Growth in March, Says ABC

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The construction industry added 16,000 net new jobs in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment is up 246,000 jobs, representing a 3.4% increase. Nonresidential employment added 3,200 net new jobs last month, with the bulk of growth among nonresidential specialty contractors, which added 5,500 net new jobs. Heavy and civil engineering added 600 jobs, while the nonresidential building category lost 2,900 positions. The construction industry unemployment rate fell to 5.2%, down a full percentage point from the previous month. Compared to the … Read more

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Jobs Decline in Construction Sector for First Time in More than Two Years, Says ABC

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According to a recent analysis by the Associated Builders and Contractors of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry lost 31,000 net new jobs in February. Overall, nonresidential employment decreased by 20,400 net new positions compared to January, with losses split between nonresidential building (-3,000), heavy and civil engineering (-13,200) and nonresidential specialty contractors (-4,200). However, industry employment is up 223,000 jobs since February 2018, an increase of 3.1 percent. Unemployment in the construction industry dropped slightly to 6.2 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from January. On a year-over-year basis, unemployment is 1.6 percentage points … Read more

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Large Job Gain in January, Association Survey Shows Ongoing Demand But Workers Hard to Find

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Construction employment decreased by 31,000 jobs in February as extreme winter weather gripped much of the nation. However, continuing year-over-year employment and wage increases that exceed those in other industries suggest there has been no letup in demand for projects, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. “The decline in construction employment in February follows an oversized increase in January of 53,000 employees,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “That suggests contractors may have been able to bring workers on board sooner than normal and had less need to hire in … Read more

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Construction Employment Climbs by 52K in January to 11-Year Peak

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Construction employment increased by 52,000 jobs in January and by 338,000 jobs, or 4.7 percent, over the past year, while the latest reading on construction spending showed moderate increases in all major categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials urged government officials to strengthen career and technical education programs and facilitate immigration for workers with construction skills before a worker shortage stalls completion of needed infrastructure. “There has been no letup in demand for construction projects—or workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Even though the industry added … Read more

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