Construction Industry Adds 23,000 Jobs in September, says ABC

  • Posted on

The U.S. construction industry added 23,000 net new positions in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. During the last 12 months, the industry has added 315,000 net new jobs, an increase of 4.5 percent. Nonresidential construction employment expanded by 18,600 net jobs on a monthly basis, while the residential sector added just 4,400 net positions. Though construction unemployment rose to 4.1 percent in September, it remains low by historical standards. National unemployment dropped to 3.7 percent across all industries, the lowest rate since December 1969. “For several … Read more

Filed under: Economic News, eNewsTagged with: , , ,

Construction Employment Rises in 287 Metro Areas Between August 2017, 2018 says AGC

  • Posted on

Construction employment increased in 287 out of 358 metro areas (80 percent) between August 2017 and August 2018, declined in 35 (10 percent) and was unchanged in 36, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that further gains depend on finding enough qualified workers and urged federal officials to improve career and technical education funding and reform immigration policies. “The increases in construction employment have been showing up in more and more metro areas,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Moreover, the gains should continue. Three … Read more

Filed under: Economic NewsTagged with: , , ,

Safety Risks in Commercial Construction Industry Exacerbated by Workforce Shortages

  • Posted on

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Q3 2018 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index indicates skilled labor shortages will have the greatest impact on commercial construction businesses over the next three years. The report revealed 88 percent of contractors expect to feel at least a moderate impact from the workforce shortages in the next three years with over half (57 percent) expecting the impact to be high/very high. The skilled labor shortage has been consistently identified as a major issue facing the industry, but it is now reported by 80 percent of contractors to be impacting worker and … Read more

Filed under: SafetyTagged with: , , , ,

NCCER Releases Directives to Revitalize U.S. Workforce Development System

  • Posted on

ALACHUA, Fla. — At the crossroads of a thriving future society and innovation lies the nation’s construction industry, where everything begins. The backbone of our society rests on the craft professionals who build our hospitals and schools, wire electricity within our homes and bring us indoor plumbing. The perception of craft professionals has become one of low- or middle-skill workers when, the reality is, the world as we know it would not exist without their expertise. “Craftsmanship is defined as ‘the beautiful or impressive quality of something that has been made using a lot of skill’. Construction craft professionals exhibit … Read more

Filed under: NewsTagged with: , , , , ,

A Chat with Kasie Bowden, Project Superintendent at Hensel Phelps

  • Posted on

Motivation, satisfaction and all things Women in Construction Operations By: Chris Maday Schmidt Kasie Bowden, project superintendent, LEED AP, at Hensel Phelps, lives for a great challenge. She says it’s what makes coming to work so appealing each day. Join Construction Superintendent as Bowden talks about her involvement with Women in Construction Operations, advice for women considering a job in construction and her take on the skilled trade worker shortage, plus the challenges of juggling multiple hats on one project and what makes her tick. (Q) What was the catalyst that led you to a career in construction? In college, … Read more

Filed under: eNews, Movers & ShakersTagged with: , , , , , , ,