Construction Employment Increases in 38 States from March 2018 Year Over Year

Thirty-eight states added construction jobs between March 2018 and March 2019, while construction employment increased in 29 states between February and March, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials said the widespread gains show demand for workers remains strong and urged federal officials to enact immigration reforms to boost the supply of qualified workers. “Although construction has added jobs in many states at a higher rate than the private sector as a whole in the past year, the record number of job openings at the end of February shows contractors … Read more

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Proposal to Create New Temporary Worker Visa System for Construction Will Boost Economy

The CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, urged Congress to act quickly on the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act that was introduced by Pennsylvania Congressmen Lloyd Smucker. The measure would establish the only federal temporary visa program for construction, among other industries covered by the measure. The association is urging members of Congress to support the measure. “The shortage of available, qualified workers in many parts of the country threatens to undermine continued economic growth,” Sandherr said, noting that 80 percent of construction firms reported last year they were having a hard time finding … Read more

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