Construction employment declined in 144 out of 358 metro areas between September 2014 and September 2015, while construction was stagnant in 55 and increased in 159 metro areas, according to a new analysis of federal employment data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said many contractors are having a hard time finding qualified workers to fill available positions, which may account for the underwhelming employment figures. “It appears that many of these job losses have more to do with a lack of workers than they do a lack of work,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the … Read more

Construction employment expanded in 35 states and the District of Columbia between September 2014 and September 2015, yet only 23 states added jobs between August and September, according to an analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the fact as many states lost construction jobs as added them last month was likely due to a combination of labor shortages and uncertainty about a host of federal investment programs. “Depending on the kind of work they perform, many contractors either can’t find enough workers, or they can’t find enough work,” said … Read more