Construction employment increased in 158 out of 339 metropolitan areas between February 2012 and February 2013, declined in 132 and was stagnant in 49, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the industry’s long-awaited recovery could prove fleeting if public construction spending continues to decline and a reported immigration reform deal could undermine efforts to recruit skilled workers. “While construction employment continues to decline in many parts of the country, the number of communities experiencing gains continues to expand,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief … Read more

Construction industry employment climbed for the tenth consecutive month in March, as the sector added 18,000 jobs and surpassed 5.8 million employees for the first time since September 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that the industry may soon experience both layoffs for some skilled trades and shortages of others, unless policy makers boost infrastructure investment and allow importation of needed workers. “The nearly steady expansion of construction payrolls since hitting bottom in January 2011 brought the industry's unemployment rate down to 14.7 percent last month, the … Read more

Construction employment expanded in 35 states in February as the industry added 48,000 jobs nationally, the largest one-month gain in nearly six years, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned, however, that newly enacted federal budget cuts could reverse the construction employment pickup in numerous states. “The turnaround in construction hiring that began in a few states two years ago has now spread to most of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “There are strong indications that the expansion will continue for residential and private nonresidential … Read more

Construction employment increased in 145 out of 339 metropolitan areas between January 2012 and January 2013, declined in 141 and was stagnant in 53, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that after years of declining construction, employment contractors in some metro areas are beginning to worry about the availability of skilled workers now that they have resumed hiring. “Not only are a slight plurality of metro areas adding construction jobs, but those areas appear to be adding jobs at a faster rate than places where … Read more

Construction employment expanded in two-thirds of all states in January as the industry showed signs of emerging from a six-year slump, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned, however, that the industry’s recovery remains fragile and that current and looming federal budget cuts threaten to drag down construction employment in numerous states. “These results show that contractors are finding work in more parts of the country than they have for many months,” said Ken Simonson, the association's chief economist. “Further gains appear likely but could be derailed if lawmakers … Read more