AGC

Construction employment slipped by 3,000 jobs in December, while average hourly earnings accelerated, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that recent construction spending numbers and their own survey of members suggest demand for construction remains strong, suggesting that the lack of hiring may be due to a shortage of available workers.

Construction employment increased in 211 metro areas between November 2015 and November 2016, the lowest number of metro areas to add jobs in four years, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said that contractors in many parts of the country continue to struggle with worker shortages and urged the incoming Trump administration to include workforce measures with its new infrastructure program.

Thirty-four states added construction jobs between November 2015 and November 2016 while construction employment increased in 29 states and the District of Columbia during the past month, according to an analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said even as firms in many starts are adding jobs amid growing residential and public sector construction investments, the number of states adding construction jobs for the year has declined compared to a year ago

Construction employers added 19,000 jobs in November, reaching the highest employment level since November 2008, but a drop in public sector investments in construction projects held down employment among heavy and civil engineering firms, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that recent construction spending numbers show a decline in most categories of infrastructure investment.

Construction spending was mixed in October as a rebound in residential and public categories outweighed a downturn in most private nonresidential segments, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that public investments in infrastructure remain down compared to last year while private-sector demand should remain robust amid continued economic growth.

Construction employment declined or was stagnant in one-third of metro areas between October 2015 and October 2016 amid diminishing public-sector investments in infrastructure and other civil works, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Only 23 states and the District of Columbia added construction jobs between September and October while construction employment increased in 35 states between October 2015 and October 2016, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said declining public-sector investments in infrastructure and other public projects were undermining construction employment growth in many parts of the country

Construction employers added 11,000 jobs in October as employment in the sector is at the highest level since December 2008 despite declines in public sector investments in construction projects, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that average hourly earnings for construction workers increased by 3.2 percent compared to 12 months ago as firms continue to expand amid shortages of available qualified workers

Construction employment conditions varied widely by metro area between September 2015 and September 2016 as contractors in many areas struggled to find qualified workers while others contending with shrinking public budgets for infrastructure, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new data shows the need to enact career and technical education reforms along with infrastructure funding

Construction spending remained in a yearlong holding pattern in September as declining public outlays offset strong growth in multifamily spending and several private nonresidential categories, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said declining investments in public infrastructure are undermining the sector’s recovery and urged Congress to act on pending water resources legislation and voters to support ballot measures designed to rebuild aging infrastructure

Thirty-five states added construction jobs between September 2015 and September 2016 while construction employment increased in only 21 states and the District of Columbia between August and September, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said contractors still report difficulty filling construction jobs, and they urged Congress to complete action on a bill that would help more students gain the skills to qualify for good-paying careers in construction.

Industry Officials Note the Sector’s Average Hourly Earnings Increased by 2.8 Percent for the Year as Most Firms Report Shortages of Qualified Workers, Number of Unemployed Workers Hits 16-Year Low for Month

Construction spending held steady in August compared to July but is up nearly five percent for the first eight months of the year compared to same period in 2015, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new spending figures indicates that the industry's recovery may be at risk and said new investments in the nation's aging water systems and other infrastructure could help offset declining spending in certain types of private construction.

Construction employment increased in three-fifths of metro areas between August 2015 and August 2016—the smallest share in nearly three and a half years—as contractors in many areas report difficulty in finding qualified workers, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the new data underscores the need to make it easier for school officials to set up programs that teach skills like construction.

Thirty-six states added construction jobs between August 2015 and August 2016 while construction employment increased in only 24 states between July and August, according to analysis of Labor Department data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said demand for construction appears to be cooling in some markets but added that many firms report they would be expanding their headcount if they could find qualified workers to hire.

New House Education and the Workforce Committee Composite Retirement Plan Concept Will Provoke Vital Debate on the Best Way to Protect Workers, Retirees and Employers. The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement today in response to the House Education and the Workforce Committee’s newly released composite retirement plan concept

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement today in response to the passage of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday evening

Industry Officials Caution that Worker Shortages Could Undermine Sector’s Recovery and Stall Broader Economic Growth without Measures to Recruit and Train New Generation of Craft Workers for the Industry

Private-Sector Outlays Rise 1.0 Percent for the Month While Public Sector Investments in Infrastructure, Other Construction Fall 3.1 Percent as New Survey Finds Most Firms Having Hard Time Finding Craft Workers

Nation’s Top Construction Official Says New Rule Allows Federal Officials to Punish Firms at Will and Impose Arbitrary Consequences, Making it Hard for Many Firms to Continue Federal Work The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America issued the following statement today in response to the release of a final federal regulation that would allow unelected federal officials to blacklist firms who run afoul of vague guidelines