Construction Employment Declines Due to Winter Weather

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Construction employment declined by 16,000 in December but the industry unemployment rate fell to 11.4 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America.   Association officials noted that the new employment data was likely impacted by cold weather, but also reflects underlying weakness in the construction sector. “Given the variability of weather, especially in winter, the downturn in December is not cause for alarm,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The data does show how uneven the recovery remains with residential construction doing very well, but the public sector remains weak … Read more

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AGC Reports on Construction Employment Increase, Prior Peaks

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Construction employment expanded in 211 metro areas, declined in 67 and was stagnant in 61 between November 2012 and November 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.   Association officials said the employment gains were encouraging, but cautioned that future gains were dependent on continued economic growth and new investments in aging domestic infrastructure. “Construction employment continued to expand in many parts of the country in November, but most areas have a long way to go before reaching prior peak levels,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases, Trends Highlight Fragility

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Construction firms added jobs in 39 states over the past 12 months, while employment nearly stabilized in the remainder, according to an analysis released today by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned that the industry's recovery was still relatively fragile, noting that a number of states experiencing large annual gains lost jobs during the past month. “The widespread job gains seen in most states for the past few months continued in November, while no state recorded a year-over-year loss of more than 4 percent,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “But progress … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases, Unemployment Rate Falls Reports AGC

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Construction employers added 17,000 jobs in November as the sector's employment hit the highest level since August 2009, and the industry unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the new employment figures come as construction spending levels hit a four-year high in October. “While these new employment figures are very encouraging, growth remains uneven by segment, region and time period,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “There are likely to be continuing variations in growth between homebuilding, private nonresidential and public … Read more

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AGC Reports on October Construction Employment Data

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Construction employment expanded in 215 metro areas, declined in 74 and was stagnant in 50 between October 2012 and October 2013, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials added that despite the widespread jobs gains, construction employment remains below peak levels in 315 metro areas. “October was a good month for construction employment in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “It will take many more months of strong jobs gains before construction employment returns to peak levels in many parts of … Read more

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