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 Increases in December 2018 in 43 States, D.C.

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Forty-three states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between December 2017 and December 2018, while 36 states added construction jobs between November and December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials cautioned that growing labor shortages and trade disputes were leading to higher construction costs. “The construction industry ended 2018 in good shape in nearly all parts of the country, and contractors are optimistic about the volume of work available in 2019,” stated chief economist Ken Simonson. “But finding workers to execute those projects is likely to be … Read more

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Construction Industry Salaries on the Rise

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ALACHUA, Fla. — Skilled craft professionals continue to earn high wages, according to NCCER’s 2018 Construction Craft Salary Survey. More than 130 industrial and commercial construction companies across the U.S., representing over 350,000 employees, participated in the survey. The individual craft areas reported provide average annual salaries, not including overtime, per diem, bonuses or other incentives. Of the 32 construction positions surveyed, average annual salaries ranged from $47,700 to $92,500. Project supervisors and program managers topped the list, earning over $88,000 and $92,500 respectively. Professions earning more than $65,000 include boilermaker, mobile crane operator, tower crane operator, millwright, industrial electrician, … Read more

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Bridge the Gap: 3 Ways to Attract, Retain Skilled Workers

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By Andy Williams Thirty-one million U.S. skilled-trades positions will be unfilled by 2020. In the manufacturing industry, 32 percent of $1 billion-plus companies estimate they will lose more than $100 million each year as baby boomers retire during the next five years. And it’s not much rosier in construction. Executives are seeing cracks extruding from the gap, expanding closer and closer to their company’s profitable foundation, and many leaders are branching out to solve this crisis in new and innovative ways. Here are three tips we’ve employed to bridge the gap: 1) Look to new labor markets As the construction … Read more

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Lift & Move USA Provides ‘Authentic’ Career Exploration Experience

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Response from teachers following the Lift & Move USA event, hosted by NessCampbell Crane + Rigging last month, was positive. Lift & Move USA is an industry-led program to promote careers in the crane, rigging and specialized transportation sectors. It is organized by SC&RA, the SC&R Foundation, NCCCO and KHL Group. All those in attendance represented high school or post-secondary career and technical education programs. “The student guests were a highly qualified group. Many of them are already enrolled in welding, metals, manufacturing and carpentry programs,” said Tracy Bennett, Lift & Move USA director. Students, teachers and career transition specialists … Read more

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