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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FMI Releases 2019 FMI Overview

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FMI Corporation has released its “2019 FMI Overview,” featuring FMI’s latest forecast, the 2019 U.S. and Canada Construction Outlook. The publication offers comprehensive construction forecasts for a broad range of market segments and geographies in the U.S. and Canada and provides valuable insights from FMI executives on how to navigate the next 12 months. Key highlights of the report include: 2018 marked another strong year for the North American built environment, with total U.S. engineering and construction spending growth expected to finish at 5 percent, the same as in 2017. Spending growth in 2018 was predominantly led by transportation and … Read more

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NCCER Releases New Construction Superintendent Certification Program

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NCCER has released a new superintendent assessment and is partnering with FMI to offer a joint certification to qualified professionals in the superintendent field. The assessment was developed in conjunction with subject matter experts for professionals whose primary role is to oversee the operations of a construction site from planning to completion. This joint certification encompasses both the NCCER assessment, which recognizes the knowledge of these professionals, and the FMI Field Leadership Institute that provides hands-on interactive education and experiences. While the skilled worker shortage has gained much attention over the last few years, it is vitally important the industry … Read more

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Projections Reveal Nonresidential Construction Spending to Grow

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Spending on nonresidential buildings nationally increased only modestly last year, barely outpacing inflation in building costs. Halfway through the seventh year of continuous growth for the cyclical construction industry, 2018 might have looked to be the year that the industry would enter another recession. However, when polled at the beginning of this year, the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel—consisting of leading economic forecasters— instead saw acceleration in activity, projecting 4 percent growth in 2018 and a nearly equal 3.9 percent in 2019. “At the halfway point of the year, this panel is even more optimistic,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit … Read more

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