Nearly 90 percent of 1,350-plus respondents to an industry-wide Associated General Contractors of America survey, conducted at peak season, report trouble finding qualified craft workers to fill key spots as construction demand continues to rebound in many markets. Seventy-nine percent of responding firms nationwide cite difficulty filling one or more of 21 hourly craft professional positions, particularly carpenters (73 percent of firms that employ carpenters report difficulty), followed by sheet metal installers (65 percent) and concrete workers (63 percent).
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Trades Talent Dearth Tempers Strong Construction Employment Figures
An Associated General Contractors of America analysis of federal government data finds a mixed bag of positive indicators and growth constraints: Construction employment held steady in June at the highest level in six years, while the number of unemployed workers with industry experience fell to the lowest total since 2001, and contractors in many parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers.
Trades’ talent dearth tempers strong construction employment figures
Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.
An AGC analysis of federal government data finds a mixed bag of positive indicators and growth constraints: Construction employment held steady in June at the highest level in six years; the number of unemployed workers with industry experience fell to the lowest total since 2001; and, contractors in many parts of the country are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers.
Read MoreConstruction employment: Up in California, down in W.V., good overall
Source: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.
Construction firms added jobs in 40 states and the District of Columbia between May 2014 and May 2015 and in 28 states and D.C. between April and May this year, according to an AGC analysis of Labor Department data.
Read MoreLate-2014 figures track positively trending construction market
Analyzing federal government data on construction spending through November, Associated General Contractors of America confirms that overall 2014 project activity was set to modestly outpace 2013 totals. Figures released early last month coincide with association members’ push for action on a series of federal infrastructure programs, including funding for highway and transit upgrades, plus clean water initiatives.
Read MoreEconomists quantify federal transportation dollars’ downstream multiplier effect
Federal highway and transit investment programs impart economic benefits across the U.S. economy, according to an IHS Inc. study commissioned by the American Road & Transportation Builders– and Associated General Contractors-led Transportation Construction Coalition.
Read MoreLate-2014 figures track positively trending construction market
Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
Analyzing new federal government data on construction spending through November, AGC confirms that overall 2014 project activity was set to modestly outpace 2013 totals. Figures released January 2 coincide with association members’ push for action on a series of federal infrastructure programs, including funding for highway and transit upgrades, plus clean water initiatives.
Read MoreLate-2014 figures track positively trending construction market
Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.; CP staff
Analyzing new federal government data on construction spending through November, AGC confirms that overall 2014 project activity was set to modestly outpace 2013 totals. Figures released January 2 coincide with association members’ push for action on a series of federal infrastructure programs, including funding for highway and transit upgrades, plus clean water initiatives.
Read MoreAGC: Construction unemployment drops to seven-year low
Source: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.
Construction employers added 16,000 jobs last month as sector unemployment fell to 7 percent, the lowest rate for September since 2007, according to an AGC analysis of monthly employment figures the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released October 3.
Read MoreAGC economist cautious as construction employment hits six-year high
Source: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.
Construction employers added 6,000 workers last month as the industryʼs unemployment rate dropped to 8.6 percent, its lowest May level in six years, according to an AGC analysis of new government data. Tempering its response, the group notes that employment gains remain spotty and thousands of highway construction jobs are at risk due to federal funding uncertainties.
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